Turf Reduction Program & Water-Wise Gardens in United Mutual

Development of water-wise gardens on under-utilized areas of turf

The United board directed staff to explore ways to comply with the water restrictions in place by El Toro Water District. Given that turf grass is considered a high water usage plant, areas of turf where use is infrequent were being eliminated, and replaced in a newly created turf reduction program. 

According to the Orange County Register, local municipal water districts agree that the replacement of turf with drought resistant and California friendly plants saves water:

Municipal Water District of Orange County, a wholesale water provider in Orange County, advises residents to keep grass, which consumes a great deal of water, to a minimum in landscaping, according to its website.

Darcy Burke, director of public affairs for MWDOC, said turf generally uses 4-5 gallons of water per square foot per year, while California friendly plants can use 1-1.5 gallons of water per square foot year.

"It's a pretty significant savings," Burke said.

El Toro Water District officials agree, asking customers – which include Laguna Woods residents – to reduce watering and landscape with native plants

-"Water districts say turf reduction means savings" OC Register Online, 8-20-2010

Installation of the newest water-wise garden near Building 2140 is now complete.

Below is an artist's rendering of a transformation from turf to water-wise garden:

Before	After (Click the photo for detail)

About the Program: The turf reduction program transformed under-utilized turf areas by creating a series of park-like areas and a seamless pedestrian network. The water-wise gardens help create a rich and vital pedestrian environment for United Mutual, and tie together surrounding neighborhoods. The water-wise gardens provide a sense of scale, separation from traffic, seasonal color, neighborhood identity, and make a more friendly environment for not only the neighbors of the immediate area but for all residents of United Mutual. 

Conservatively, the change from turf to low water use shrubs and the associated change from overhead spray irrigation to drip (in most, but not all areas) is expected to yield a 25% to 30% reduction in water use.  The estimated reduction will probably increase once the material is established and mature.

The turf reduction program made use of a combination of the following replacement materials, including but not limited to: drought tolerant plants, modular paving, rock and gravel or composted mulch, and drip systems or reduced flow heads. 

The actual number of sites that was affected by the program has not been determined yet.  The turf reduction program is a year-to-year program, open to budget revisions annually.  The program was originally approved by the United Board through the 2010 Budget Process, as well as discussed and approved via the United Landscape Committee.

The first area to be transitioned to a water-wise garden was near Building 813 in Cul-de-sac 95. Staff has also completed the transitioning of  a turf area behind building 895, and inCDS 70.

Drought Tolerant Plant Examples

Lantana	Rosemary	Copper Canyon Daisy

California Friendly Plant Examples

Daylily	Red Fountain Grass	Iceberg Rose

There are other plants that landscaping selects from as well, to provide variety and visual interest. Here is a sample of the plants that are approved for CDS 70 (subject to availability): 

Golden Medallion Tree

Little Olive (Fruitless Dwarf)

Coast Live Oak

Black Locust 

Paprika Yarrow

Red Butterfly Weed

Dwarf Natual Plum

Texas Barrel Cactus

Bijou Blanket Flower

Gaura Passionate Blush 

Crimson Curls Coral Bells

Pink Muhly

Compact Russian Sage

Pink Mulla Mulla

White Iceberg Rose