Author Topic: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!  (Read 11968 times)

MrsK

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The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« on: April 08, 2015, 09:23:28 PM »
Anyone else live in CA?

I have always felt the water company was a formidable adversary and enjoy paying them as little as possible.  I think these new restriction are a great challenge.  How can I reduce another 25%?  We had a good family brainstorm and everyone is on board to see how badass we can be. 

We started a no flush challenge this week.  I average about 5 pees before I flush.  My 21 year old daughter put us all to shame by setting the record at 8.  The boys are all about peeing outside--such an adventure!  We are trying to only do 2 loads of laundry a week and so far so good.  The dishwasher is going dormant for a bit as I try to see how little water I really need to wash up.  And my daughter and I are on the 3-minute bath every other day.  I am French so the family likes to rib me anyway about how eager I am NOT to shower.

The boys have sports so they get a 3 minute shower every day, but I am giving prizes for under 2 minutes.  My son won today after lacrosse practice--1 minute 48 seconds . . . so he didn't have to help clean up after dinner.

Anyone else joining in the fun?

penguins4everyone!

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2015, 09:45:08 PM »
Hello from San Francisco! 

So far, lots of if it's yellow let it mellow, but obviously not at the office so that's still the same amount of flushing for those 8 hours.  Can't scare off the coworkers now can we.

Started keeping a bucket in the shower to catch water for when water is heating up, also catches some of the water that doesn't hit me during the shower.  using it to water the plants on our deck every couple days.  Wish there was a way for us to capture the greywater from our showers and use it in our yards consistently!  That's a future dream for when I'm a homeowner and go full-hippy. 

Already do minimal laundry because of laundromat-torture situation.

Even less interested in meat than i normally am.  I read somewhere that eating a steak is the same water usage as taking a TEN hour shower?! can that be right?

I'm interested in conservation just on principle, and will continue hippy ways, but it would be nice to see more policy changes regarding the agriculture and water usage situation, complicated issue.

Dicey

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2015, 10:49:10 PM »
I live in the East Bay. Someone's flipping a house down the street from me. Yesterday, they rolled sod out on ground they had done nothing but scrape some of the weeds off. Twice since then I've seen the sprinklers running. What a fucking waste! With improper preparation, the grass is not going to thrive, but the flipper doesn't care, they are just trying to get top dollar for the house. It makes me want to scream every time I round the corner. DH works for the local water district, so we have let our front lawn die completely. Why, so the joker looking to make a fast buck can waste it? Thanks for giving me a place to vent...

Bicycle_B

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2015, 10:53:06 PM »
Yes, it can be right.  Agriculture uses a lot of water compared to household use... and steak means an animal that ate a lot of grain, multiplying water usage by another order of magnitude compared to a tofu burger, which in itself used a lot of water.  Almonds, pistachios, etc - water use.  Good food has trade offs!  Anyway, score one for vegetarians.

PS. And +1 to anyone who eats nopales!

Spondulix

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2015, 10:59:06 PM »
What kind of incentives are you getting up north? In LA County, LADWP is paying almost $4/sq foot to take out your lawn. Toilets are being subsidized $100/each for low flow. I'm almost done with my laundry greywater system, at which point I'll be able to take one of my zones off the sprinkler!!

I've read to scrape your plates before putting in the dishwasher (vs rinse) but I just can't get past that. And I love hot showers, so that's going to be my one water splurge...

birdie55

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2015, 10:59:19 PM »
I live near Sacramento and we started saving water over a year ago.

Saving cold water in the shower in a 2 gallon tupperware (I hold it under the faucet) that I dump into a 5 gallon bucket.  Use that to water outside trees that need deep watering.  Saving water in the kitchen in a one gallon jug while waiting for hot water for the dishwasher.  I boil water to heat my coffee mug in the morning and dump that in the jug.  The jug waters a few container plants on my porch. 

Shorter showers and shutting off the water while shaving my legs.  Also only flush a couple of times a day.  Not running water while brushing teeth. Keep a pan in the kitchen sink to soak dishes instead of running water to rinse them. 

I have a vegetable garden and want to save as much water for that, instead of using it for other things.  NO lawn in back, replaced with vegetables. 

Full loads in the washer and dishwasher only.  Just being aware of usage ...If we ever get rain, I put out containers to catch the rain.  All saved for watering my vegetables. 

tmoney

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2015, 12:05:04 AM »
I am also in CA. We catch warm up water in a 5 gallon bucket that I am using for my garden. We are currently removing our rear yard and replanting with low water native type plantings and rock and flagstone. The water co is paying us $2 per sq ft which really only covers the rock but we also want our water bill to be lower then the average $125 per month. I also wish there was a grey water shower and laundry system on my house. Such a waste of water but we said our next house if we ever move we will build it and have that system put in. I am also planning on getting water barrels for the rare rain, the water co will reimburse us $100 each up to 3 of them the last time I checked. I have a pitcher in the kitchen I dump water that is left in cups, used to rinse etc and use on plants also.  Then I drive around and my city has sprinklers on and water is running down the street .......,,,

Revelry

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2015, 09:24:26 AM »
Yes, it can be right.  Agriculture uses a lot of water compared to household use... and steak means an animal that ate a lot of grain, multiplying water usage by another order of magnitude compared to a tofu burger, which in itself used a lot of water.  Almonds, pistachios, etc - water use.  Good food has trade offs!  Anyway, score one for vegetarians.

PS. And +1 to anyone who eats nopales!

Had to look up nopales.  Look tasty!

California is the #4 beef producing state behind Texas, Nebraska, and Kansas.  So foregoing your steak or hamburger may not have an impact on CA's water crisis.  And I'm sure that steak-to-shower comparison is for conventional CAFO beef and not grass-fed which I assume would be lower.

TreeTired

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #8 on: April 09, 2015, 09:33:31 AM »
I don't live in CA, but the entire concept of a "lawn"  has deeply offended me for a long time.  If you like that look,  I have heard that technological advances in artificial grass have gotten to the point where you can't really tell the difference.  Personally I would be happy with a rock and cactus landscape rather than grass.    And the thing that offends me about a grass lawn is the practice of dumping large amounts of clean drinking water on the ground.   This is something that millions of people around the world do not have to drink -  clean water -  and we throw it on the ground to keep our grass green. 

dycker1978

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #9 on: April 09, 2015, 10:22:19 AM »
I don't live in CA, but the entire concept of a "lawn"  has deeply offended me for a long time.  If you like that look,  I have heard that technological advances in artificial grass have gotten to the point where you can't really tell the difference.  Personally I would be happy with a rock and cactus landscape rather than grass.    And the thing that offends me about a grass lawn is the practice of dumping large amounts of clean drinking water on the ground.   This is something that millions of people around the world do not have to drink -  clean water -  and we throw it on the ground to keep our grass green.
+1 to this.  I am in the process of fighting with the city in order to turn my whole front yard into a garden.  It will still be green, but a least at the end of the day, I will have food produced, instead of just grass...  they are resistant though... may reduce property values in the area???

MrsK

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2015, 11:13:29 AM »
Already do minimal laundry because of laundromat-torture situation.

OK I really want to know more about this situation.  I sort of love my laundromat as there are the coolest people hanging out there. 
I didn't consider meat.  I read about how much water it takes to grow almonds and was shocked.  I think we do need to consider that CA can not support the Ag industry it has today.  I like the idea of more people gardening instead of lawns and using their grey water for food.

I have a small kettle I collect warm up water in and then use it for tea.  I am beginning to think I am a bit gross as you all are watering your plants with the water I am drinking.  ;)

Revelry

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2015, 11:37:57 AM »
On the topic of showers and collecting water while temperature comes up, there's always the option of cold showers.  No waste that way and you'll be motivated to make it quick.  ;-D

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/cold-showers-rock-in-more-ways-i-can-describe-also-free-and-take-no-extra-time/msg571961/#msg571961

mm1970

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2015, 12:13:44 PM »
Anyone else live in CA?

I have always felt the water company was a formidable adversary and enjoy paying them as little as possible.  I think these new restriction are a great challenge.  How can I reduce another 25%?  We had a good family brainstorm and everyone is on board to see how badass we can be. 

We started a no flush challenge this week.  I average about 5 pees before I flush.  My 21 year old daughter put us all to shame by setting the record at 8.  The boys are all about peeing outside--such an adventure!  We are trying to only do 2 loads of laundry a week and so far so good.  The dishwasher is going dormant for a bit as I try to see how little water I really need to wash up.  And my daughter and I are on the 3-minute bath every other day.  I am French so the family likes to rib me anyway about how eager I am NOT to shower.

The boys have sports so they get a 3 minute shower every day, but I am giving prizes for under 2 minutes.  My son won today after lacrosse practice--1 minute 48 seconds . . . so he didn't have to help clean up after dinner.

Anyone else joining in the fun?
We recently switched to "yellow mellow" (a week ago).  Funny, our SF friends were visiting, and the 11 yo boy teased my son for not flushing.  I said "pee or poop?"  My son said "pee".  I said "we're in a drought, that's okay."

Anyway, about a month ago we started keeping a bucket in the shower to collect water to water our trees.  It doesn't "save" water because we don't actually actively water our trees.  The trees are happy though.  I also started taking "Navy" showers, meaning, get wet, turn off and lather up, then turn on and rinse.  Haven't quite gotten my husband to do that, but he has shortened his showers a bit.

The boys only get bathed 2x a week right now, and we water the trees with their water.

I steam instead of boil foods.

I wash our veggies in the salad spinner and water the trees with the dirty water.

We try to keep to 2 loads laundry a week.

We try to use less water on dishes.

We turn off the faucet when brushing our teeth and washing our hands.

We have low flow everything.

We skip showering once a week.  It would be hard to do more than that for me because I work out.

I really don't know what else to do, other than sponge baths, which really doesn't work when I get all sweaty.  Maybe saving our bath water to flush the toilet?

We aren't home daytime, and our usage is 4 HCF per month, family of 4.

mandy_2002

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2015, 05:04:32 PM »
I'm in the East Bay area, however I'm currently in an apartment where they can't enforce this type of restriction (40 units, one meter, paid by the building).  I've always been a water saver, so I tend to do most of the things listed here (my mother did loads of laundry set to full with two pieces of clothing on a regular basis, and even as a 10 year old I yelled at her for diluting the soap for the load).  I wash my hands with a super low water rate.  I can hear a leaky toilet through two rooms. 

A friend was visiting from a non-drought state this weekend, and she started to rinse all of my dishes before putting them in the dish washer.  She was basically getting them to sparkling, then putting them in the dish washer.  I told her I'd do it, but when she refused, I said to either put them in dirty or get them clean.  She didn't understand that we were in a drought.  Every time she handled dishes, she did this (and I caught her taking my dishes out and rinsing them).  I basically screamed at her.... but only after she left, and only to myself. 

penguins4everyone!

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #14 on: April 09, 2015, 09:21:02 PM »
Already do minimal laundry because of laundromat-torture situation.

OK I really want to know more about this situation.  I sort of love my laundromat as there are the coolest people hanging out there. 
I didn't consider meat.  I read about how much water it takes to grow almonds and was shocked.  I think we do need to consider that CA can not support the Ag industry it has today.  I like the idea of more people gardening instead of lawns and using their grey water for food.

yeah, so laundromat was amusing for a while, felt like a cool kid in the big city.  and if i was single i could imagine a great meet-cute happening there as i fold my adorable panties and make googly eyes at hipster boys. but my closest laundromat is about a half mile away, so that's a long way to lug 4 loads of laundry in a giant suitcase once a week.  (2 people, both work out a lot so lots of extra spandex to wash).  It's expensive, sometimes the machines just like, crap out and don't spin properly.  A lot of people hang out there that don't exactly make me feel warm and fuzzy.  The only part i like is looking at my 4 dryers going and being like, "all you dryers work for me!!"  All i want in life is a tiny little washing machine to call my own. i don't even need a dryer.  I'm not picky!  It's an absolute no for our otherwise lovely landlord, so that's that.  If we have a baby in this apt. I'm just going to spring for laundry pick up/drop off service.  Cheaper than a mortgage in San Francisco...

I have a small kettle I collect warm up water in and then use it for tea.  I am beginning to think I am a bit gross as you all are watering your plants with the water I am drinking.  ;)

Indio

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2015, 09:46:30 PM »
No drought where I live but neighbor recently put in artifical turf for front lawn. It made it through the Winter and looks good.
I put bucket under bathroom sinks to catch water and use that to flush toilet. It offends me that potable wayer is used to flush a toilet. New toilets in Eorope have drain for pee so you dont need to flush.
I have rain barrels on all of the gutters. That's over 500 gals of water for the garden.

Quinny

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #16 on: April 09, 2015, 09:50:48 PM »
We're down in San Diego and have been making big efforts in water restriction for a while now. We let it mellow if it's yellow, catch the warm up water for the shower and then all take navy showers in succession, catch the water from the reverse osmosis filter in a big bucket and use everything caught to water our fruit trees in the backyard. We got a 400 gallon water barrel but sadly, hardly got enough rain to make this year worthwhile. Our front yard is all CA natives that we haven't watered since 2009! We have, however, gotten plenty of grumpy looks from neighbors who think natives are weeds and Im'm pretty certain the guy with the luxurious green lawn and tropical flowers negates all our efforts!

Trying to add new conservation steps...I like the idea of a no shower day for the family. Need to get a large dishpan in sink to rinse off dishes. Looking into replumbing to catch laundry water. And, this doesn't count, but I was at a conference in town the other week and at the restroom sinks in the conference center the woman next to me let the faucet run while she was putting on lipstick. I couldn't help it...I reached over and turned off her water, shrugged and said that we're in a drought.

penguins4everyone!

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #17 on: April 09, 2015, 10:42:01 PM »
What kind of incentives are you getting up north? In LA County, LADWP is paying almost $4/sq foot to take out your lawn. Toilets are being subsidized $100/each for low flow. I'm almost done with my laundry greywater system, at which point I'll be able to take one of my zones off the sprinkler!!

I've read to scrape your plates before putting in the dishwasher (vs rinse) but I just can't get past that. And I love hot showers, so that's going to be my one water splurge...

Please share a post about your laundry greywater system when it's done!  good on ya!

galliver

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2015, 10:44:40 AM »

Syonyk

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #19 on: April 10, 2015, 10:57:49 AM »
+1 to this.  I am in the process of fighting with the city in order to turn my whole front yard into a garden.  It will still be green, but a least at the end of the day, I will have food produced, instead of just grass...  they are resistant though... may reduce property values in the area???

If you're growing a garden, clearly it's because you can't afford food.  Therefore, you're poor.  And nobody wants to live in a neighborhood with poor people who can't afford Whole Foods.  Duh. :p

Silverwood

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #20 on: April 10, 2015, 11:29:42 AM »
This is why I like this site. I have yet to travel to many places in the states so have no first hand knowledge of this. Here I am complaining because its supposed to rain all of next week.

My parents live outside the city and have a holding tank so Im used to the "if its yellow let it mellow". I dont agree with using clean water for toilets. I actually like the composting toilet. Its not something I would of said 5 years ago but the more things I do the less weird those things seem. For example,  I started out making sure all the lights were off in rooms Im not using cause thats easy and then gradually stepped it up from there.

Cassie

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #21 on: April 10, 2015, 02:46:49 PM »
Nevada is also in a drought. We replaced our lawn front & back 2 years ago with astro-turf.  Buying nice looking turf versus the cheap stuff was an investment but I am sure it will last for years. The dogs love it since it is soft.  I take a short shower & if I haven't done anything stinky that day I will skip a day in the winter.  I never ran partial loads of anything.

mm1970

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #22 on: April 10, 2015, 04:31:49 PM »
Yeah, I might have to talk to my husband about how to use the warm up water for the toilet.  If my bucket is clean (I'm not sure it is), maybe we can use it to fill the boys' water pistols in the summer.

sisto

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #23 on: April 17, 2015, 03:34:17 PM »
I live near Sacramento. I've always practiced all of the methods listed here used by everyone already, but just keep getting more aggressive with my practices as the drought continues to get worse. I removed my back lawn and replaced it with artificial grass 5-6 years ago. It wasn't cheap, but I absolutely love it and it looks great. We also have a few fruit trees and a vegetable garden that's on a drip system. The trees get watered from the shower collection bucket. Two years ago I let my front lawn die and then last year I had some cement work done with a new walkway up the middle of where the lawn used to be leaving me 2 nice areas to work with. I used a few water saving plants with a drip system installed and then filled the area around it with rock. It also turned out very nice and all of my neighbors have commented on how nice it looks.

jengod

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #24 on: April 17, 2015, 07:47:43 PM »
We have rain barrels, one hooked up and four that we still need to connect.

The first was $40 with a rebate and the second four are supposed to be $10 each thanks to a SoCalWaterSmart rebate. The actual vendor was Rain Barrels International.

The rebate application was approved a couple of months ago but we haven't actually seen a check yet. Fingers crossed.

Together they allow us to collect 275 gallons of rain water on site for later use in the garden.

Grey water retrofits and rain-harvesting swales are somewhere in our future.

Syonyk

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #25 on: April 17, 2015, 07:58:47 PM »
Do you have water rights to the water from your roof?

sequim

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #26 on: April 21, 2015, 08:17:16 AM »
Why use artificial turf?  How does that benefit nature? 

I would kill two birds with one stone - save water and benefit the environment by planting native plants which feed the critters. 

At our new home I have a dilemma.  The whole neighborhood has the green lawn syndrome, even the parking strips.  It's even worse as they are shared strips so if I  want to put in drought tolerant plants, it's going to possibly upset the neighbor whose strip is shared with mine or look weird if one is lawn and one isn't.  Not sure how to deal with that but at least I can first work in my back yard pulling up the sod and starting my plantings. 

jengod

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #27 on: April 21, 2015, 10:14:09 PM »
Do you have water rights to the water from your roof?

I couldn't begin to tell you the legal details of rainfall water rights in Los Angeles County, but we have a lot of problems with urban runoff and watershed pollution, so we are encouraged to keep as much water on our land as possible with rain barrels and "rain garden" swales and so forth.

IllusionNW

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #28 on: April 21, 2015, 11:32:36 PM »
I don't live in CA, but I recall when traveling to Japan that they had these really cool toilets with faucets on top of the tank (sort of like the ones on this website: http://sinkpositive.com/web/).  After you flush, the faucet would run with clean water from the pipes, then the gray water from your hand washing would fill the tank.

agent_clone

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #29 on: April 22, 2015, 07:50:14 AM »
Hmm, here we have permanent water restrictions for which if they are breached you can be fined:
http://www.actew.com.au/My-Home/Saving-Water/When-can-I-water/Permanent-Water-Conservation-Measures.aspx

I could be wrong, but are these the 'voluntary' water restrctions? http://www.lawaterrestrictions.net/ . They seem to be pretty close to our permanent ones... with the alternate day thing happening in the level 2 restrictions here.

Personally, I don't understand why people in the US look down on the no lawn thing...  It could just be me I guess... Then again, the grass is often brown here in the middle of summer anyway!  It can be green due to rain, then 3 days later brown due to heat (no it's not dead grass, its just not green)...
A nicely landscaped garden without lawn can look nicer with pretty flowers and plants and provide more variety in looks in my opinion...

For the person who has the lawn on the median strip, have you tried adding clover seeds? This site seems to suggest that it requires less water and maintenance: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/fields-of-green-5-favorite-lawn-substitutes .  Also there are grass types that require less water if your so inclined (not sure what they are, I have no lawn at my place).  Alternatively you could have non lawn grasses (if that makes sense), they are tufts of grass rather than the stuff that you mow regularly.  Doing a bit of looking there also may be this stuff: http://www.seedaholic.com/herniaria-glabra.html .

Here's some nice pics of what others have done (the site has annoying in page popups though...):
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19141968/list/7-low-maintenance-lawn-alternatives

And one for california:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/6450396/South-Pasadena-Eclectic-transitional-landscape-los-angeles


dragoncar

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #30 on: April 22, 2015, 08:18:33 AM »
I live in the East Bay. Someone's flipping a house down the street from me. Yesterday, they rolled sod out on ground they had done nothing but scrape some of the weeds off. Twice since then I've seen the sprinklers running. What a fucking waste! With improper preparation, the grass is not going to thrive, but the flipper doesn't care, they are just trying to get top dollar for the house. It makes me want to scream every time I round the corner. DH works for the local water district, so we have let our front lawn die completely. Why, so the joker looking to make a fast buck can waste it? Thanks for giving me a place to vent...

Report them for sure!  Only two days a week and not in the middle of the day.

Do you have water rights to the water from your roof?

Doesn't really matter since it doesn't rain during the summer, so there's no water to collect.  During the winter these days it doesn't rain either.

Nevada is also in a drought. We replaced our lawn front & back 2 years ago with astro-turf.  Buying nice looking turf versus the cheap stuff was an investment but I am sure it will last for years. The dogs love it since it is soft.  I take a short shower & if I haven't done anything stinky that day I will skip a day in the winter.  I never ran partial loads of anything.

We have a small lawn, but I can never get behind astro-turf. 

Quote
Artificial turf does not qualify because it does not support soil health or provide habitat, is destined for the landfill when it wears out, may contain heavy metals, and creates a heat island effect because it doesn’t cool the air like a natural landscape.


Man, my utility only offers $0.50/sqft
« Last Edit: April 22, 2015, 08:31:09 AM by dragoncar »

sisto

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #31 on: April 23, 2015, 09:53:24 AM »
Why use artificial turf?  How does that benefit nature? 

I would kill two birds with one stone - save water and benefit the environment by planting native plants which feed the critters. 

At our new home I have a dilemma.  The whole neighborhood has the green lawn syndrome, even the parking strips.  It's even worse as they are shared strips so if I  want to put in drought tolerant plants, it's going to possibly upset the neighbor whose strip is shared with mine or look weird if one is lawn and one isn't.  Not sure how to deal with that but at least I can first work in my back yard pulling up the sod and starting my plantings.
To answer your question, I use artificial turf because I have a pool and dogs. I used to have decomposed granite for a while before putting in the artificial grass, but it caused lots of crap to get in my pool and the dogs did not care for it. They LOVE the grass and my pools stays much cleaner. And yes I have a pool in California in a drought. I did not put it in, it was installed long before I bought the house.

sequim

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #32 on: April 23, 2015, 09:59:26 AM »
Thanks Sisto, I do appreciate knowing the rationale.  I'm always dismayed when I'm out walking and see nothing for the bees/birds to make a meal of.

I am sure there are many, many, many homes in CA and other desert cities with pools and wonder if that is a dying trend or a way to have a low-impact pool. 

dragoncar

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #33 on: April 23, 2015, 11:28:10 AM »
Why use artificial turf?  How does that benefit nature? 

I would kill two birds with one stone - save water and benefit the environment by planting native plants which feed the critters. 

At our new home I have a dilemma.  The whole neighborhood has the green lawn syndrome, even the parking strips.  It's even worse as they are shared strips so if I  want to put in drought tolerant plants, it's going to possibly upset the neighbor whose strip is shared with mine or look weird if one is lawn and one isn't.  Not sure how to deal with that but at least I can first work in my back yard pulling up the sod and starting my plantings.
To answer your question, I use artificial turf because I have a pool and dogs. I used to have decomposed granite for a while before putting in the artificial grass, but it caused lots of crap to get in my pool and the dogs did not care for it. They LOVE the grass and my pools stays much cleaner. And yes I have a pool in California in a drought. I did not put it in, it was installed long before I bought the house.

I don't begrudge anyone their pool -- I don't even think they use too much water with a good cover and proper maintenance.  The cover will also keep crap from getting in the pool

sisto

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #34 on: April 23, 2015, 03:29:30 PM »
Thanks Sisto, I do appreciate knowing the rationale.  I'm always dismayed when I'm out walking and see nothing for the bees/birds to make a meal of.

I am sure there are many, many, many homes in CA and other desert cities with pools and wonder if that is a dying trend or a way to have a low-impact pool.
I totally agree with you on that. It's not my whole yard in the grass. I also have a vegetable garden, a few fruit trees, and some various herbs, plants/flowers to attract the bees to keep my garden healthy.

tesuzuki2002

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #35 on: April 23, 2015, 10:49:54 PM »
I live in the middle of the CA drought...  in the Mojave Desert..    I don't mind it other than it gets crazy windy here...  What blows my mind are when I see neighbors moving in and putting in new sod...   Seriously?  Where really are in the desert if you walk 5ft past the end of the neighborhood you are standing on a desert  with tumbleweed, rattle snakes and all...   

My rent includes the water bill so I never see it.. but take short showers, conserve on flushing,  my yard is dirt...  doing what I can.

 

sequim

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #36 on: April 24, 2015, 09:06:56 AM »
I live in the middle of the CA drought...  in the Mojave Desert..    I don't mind it other than it gets crazy windy here...  What blows my mind are when I see neighbors moving in and putting in new sod...   Seriously?  Where really are in the desert if you walk 5ft past the end of the neighborhood you are standing on a desert  with tumbleweed, rattle snakes and all...   

My rent includes the water bill so I never see it.. but take short showers, conserve on flushing,  my yard is dirt...  doing what I can.

That to me is sad, how people just won't willingly change their habits no matter how dire the news is on the environment.  That's why I have to come to this forum with its concentrated group of people who do care and go out of their way in their lives to do things differently and challenge the status quo.  It makes me feel like the percentage of people who care and can change their ways is actually greater than it is. 

sisto

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #37 on: April 24, 2015, 01:35:06 PM »
I live in the middle of the CA drought...  in the Mojave Desert..    I don't mind it other than it gets crazy windy here...  What blows my mind are when I see neighbors moving in and putting in new sod...   Seriously?  Where really are in the desert if you walk 5ft past the end of the neighborhood you are standing on a desert  with tumbleweed, rattle snakes and all...   

My rent includes the water bill so I never see it.. but take short showers, conserve on flushing,  my yard is dirt...  doing what I can.

That to me is sad, how people just won't willingly change their habits no matter how dire the news is on the environment.  That's why I have to come to this forum with its concentrated group of people who do care and go out of their way in their lives to do things differently and challenge the status quo.  It makes me feel like the percentage of people who care and can change their ways is actually greater than it is.

Sequim, I totally agree with you on this. Someone I know is pushing to sign a petition for desalination. All theses people are wanting to get the water from the ocean instead of conserving. I just think it's costly and wrong. I'm sure it will end up ruining the ocean life too. Why not just cut back people. UGH why are we such a lazy entitled society?

sequim

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #38 on: April 24, 2015, 02:06:52 PM »
I am totally against that idea!  It's just enabling business as usual.  Makes me so angry.

Cassie

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #39 on: April 24, 2015, 02:30:59 PM »
WE have astro-turf because we have dogs that love to run, play & roll around on grass. Can't do that with native plants, etc. Plus I am a Midwest gal & love the green look.

Syonyk

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #40 on: April 24, 2015, 03:04:48 PM »
I am totally against that idea!  It's just enabling business as usual.  Makes me so angry.

Given that you could turn off the water to every house in CA and not make a bit of difference, looking at ways to keep the farmers able to grow something other than dirt makes at least a little sense...

Dicey

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #41 on: May 21, 2015, 11:38:52 PM »
Sorry, this feels like a dumb question, but I hope someone here will know. Is there biodegradable dish soap that I use so can dump the dirty dishwater directly on plants, particularly roses? I run full loads in the dishwasher, but hand wash things like zippy bags. I'd like to put that water to a second use.

Spondulix

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Re: The CA Drought--Helping to push us out of our comfort zone!
« Reply #42 on: May 22, 2015, 01:30:56 AM »
Sorry, this feels like a dumb question, but I hope someone here will know. Is there biodegradable dish soap that I use so can dump the dirty dishwater directly on plants, particularly roses? I run full loads in the dishwasher, but hand wash things like zippy bags. I'd like to put that water to a second use.
I'd search for greywater detergent (it looks like Seventh Generation has one). Kitchen sink water might actually be considered black water:
http://www.treehugger.com/green-home/how-reuse-grey-water-home-and-yard.html

I'm sure there's a safe way to use it, but just something to be aware of.