Drought

A drought is a period of drier-than-normal conditions that results in water-related problems.

According to the USGS, 2016 was the hottest on record and 2019 came in second. These are trends that can have a big impact on our gardens and landscapes.

Drought and hot summers dry up gardens and landscapes (Kate Russell)

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With responsible water conservation, you can reduce water stress to plants in your yard by improving soil quality with compost and mulch and watering more frequently, but with less water. Just as a dry sponge allows water to runoff, rather than being absorbed, soil works the same way.

Another way to reduce water use is to replace your lawn with drought-tolerant plants that are better suited to your local climate. Plants have evolved over millions of years to survive and thrive in very specific environments. By growing native plants, you can take advantage of all that evolution! Contact your local CA Native Plant Society to learn how!