Less Lawn, More Savings
Less Lawn, More Curb Appeal
Find inspiration, resources and savings to convert your lawn to a water-wise landscape!
In summer a 1,000 square foot lawn uses up to 5,000 gallons of water per week in our region. Converting to a low-water use landscape reduces your water usage by up to 70%! We’ve compiled resources, ideas, and rebates to help you get started on your lawn to water-wise landscape conversion. Rebates may be available for residential, HOA and commercial properties. Check with your water provider or browse our Rebate Directory.
Check with your water provider for available rebates to help you create a water smart landscape:
- Convert your lawn to low-water use plants
- Upgrade your irrigation controller
- Switch from spray irrigation to drip
- Install a rainwater harvesting system
- Laundry-to-Landscape graywater
- Free sheet-mulching supplies
- And more!
Less Lawn, More Climate-Ready!
Climate-ready landscapes are designed with climate change in mind.
By converting lawn to low-water use plants, implementing rainwater harvesting, and following fire-wise principles, your yard will be better equipped to withstand drought, floods, and fires.
Lawn Conversion Case Studies
HOA Lawn Conversion Case Study
Discover how this HOA transformed 130,000 square feet of lawn into vibrant, water-wise gardens—saving time, money, and water while preserving more than 1,000 mature trees and creating a showcase landscape for the whole community.
Library Lawn Conversion Case Study
To reduce water waste and showcase sustainable design, one-third of an acre (including 11,000 square feet of nonfunctional lawn) was converted behind the Loomis Library into a regionally inspired demonstration garden that thrives on low water use.
HOA Lawn Conversion Case Study
See how this HOA transformed 58,000 square feet of thirsty lawn into vibrant, water-wise landscapes and stormwater capture—saving millions of gallons of water, winning awards, and creating beautiful resilient spaces for residents to enjoy.
Less Lawn, More Resources!
Water Smart Plants
Water conservation is an essential consideration when selecting plants for Sonoma and Marin county landscapes.
Plants that are adapted to our local climate require 70-90% less irrigation than turf grass and provide habitat for pollinators, insects, birds and wildlife. Below are some tools to help you select plants adapted to our region’s climate:
Water-Smart Plant Picker: Use the Plant Picker to search for plants adapted to California’s summer-dry climate.
Shop for water smart plants: Look for the Water Smart Plant Label at select local nurseries. The Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership is now offering a free water smart plant labeling program to local nurseries. The water smart plant label is intended to highlight low-water use plants to nursery customers and to promote sustainable landscaping practices in Sonoma and Marin counties.
Choose climate forward trees: The UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County partnered with the City of Santa Rosa to identify trees that are likely to thrive in our changing climate over the next 30 to 50 years.
Landscape Design and Maintenance
Water Smart Maintenance Manual: An instruction guide for your landscape. The Water Smart Maintenance Manual includes design and maintenance tips for low water use gardens, fire-wise landscapes, and rain gardens.
Water Smart Landscape Design Templates: The Partnership has developed 8 free, scalable, water-efficient, front-yard landscape design templates. Download and learn more about the types of documentation offered for each template.
Ask a Garden Sense consultant: Garden Sense consultants can help you plan a beautiful water-wise garden. The Garden Sense program is free and provided by the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County. The Garden Sense consultants have advanced training in water management, irrigation systems, site assessment, low-water use plants, and sustainable garden practices.
To request a FREE consultation call (707) 565-3026 or click here
Hire a QWEL Pro! The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) program is an EPA WaterSense labeled professional certification in irrigation system audits. QWEL Pros have been trained in efficient irrigation principles and sustainable landscaping practices.
Efficient Irrigation and Water Reuse
Irrigation Scheduling: Need a watering schedule? Use the Irrigation Scheduling Tool. The Irrigation Scheduling Tool is designed to help you create an irrigation schedule customized to your location by pulling data from local weather stations on a daily basis to give you an accurate measurement of how much water your plants need.
Rainwater Harvesting: Did you know that you can collect 600 gallons of water after just one inch of rain falling on a 1,000 square-foot roof? Store rainwater in a tank, barrel, or cistern so that you can use it once the rainy season ends. Check with your water provider for rebates.
Graywater: A laundry-to-landscape graywater system is a great way to reduce potable water use by reusing laundry wash water in your landscape. Check with your water provider for rebates:
HOA, Commercial, Industrial, Institutional
California Assembly Bill 1572 bans the use of potable water for irrigating non-functional turf (NFT) on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties (CII). This new law will be phased in starting January 1, 2027.
The California Water Efficiency Partnership has created an NFT website as a one-stop statewide hub to help Californians understand what the law means, who it applies to, and how to take action. Visit https://nonfunctionalturfca.org/ to explore resources for HOA common areas, commercial and industrial properties, public properties and educational institutions. In addition, resources for landscapers are also available.
Rebates may be available for residential, HOA and commercial properties. Check with your water provider or browse our Rebate Directory.