The Hansen Research and Extension Center hosted a water workshop this week, touching on a topic that is one of the University of California's top priorities, according to an article in the Ventura County Star.

“We want to make sure the community knows about what Hansen is doing and share some of the research sponsored by Hansen," the story quoted Jose de Soto, the center director.

Sixty to 90 percent of residential water is used outside the home, but typically gardeners irrigate based on estimates of plant water needs, Ventura County farm advisor Jim Downer said.

“They are not research-based,” Downer was quoted in the article. “They are based on what people think will happen.”

Downer said he has established plants in four different climates of California, watering them at varying rates to measure the needed usage.

“We’re not growing crops or looking for yield. If it looks good, there’s no need to water,” Downer said.