While rains in February and March contribute to rising reservoirs and mountain snowpack in the spring, the fact remains that California is in a drought. The University of California and the UC Cooperative Extension and its Master Gardener program have created the following resources to help home gardeners deal with the drought by making their landscapes more water-efficient and their irrigation practices more effective.
Vegetable Gardens
- Ten tips for vegetable Gardening with less water, Master Gardeners of Placer County
- Ten tips for vegetable gardening during a drought, Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco counties
- Saving Water in Vegetable Gardens, UC Vegetable Research and Information Center
- Food Gardening in a Drought, Sonoma County Master Gardeners
Landscapes and Lawns
Water-saving garden, lawn, plant, and tree care tips; Irrigation adjustment and lawn watering tips; and recycled water information:
- 7 Tips for Landscape Survival during Drought, UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
- Landscape Water Management, UC Center for Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- California Institute for Water Resources
- Keeping Landscape Plantings Alive under Drought or Water Restrictions
- California Garden Guide: Your Simple Guide to a Sustainable Landscape
- Water-Efficient Landscaping, CA Department of Water Resources
- Lawn Watering Guide for California
- Managing Turfgrass During Drought
- UC Guide to Healthy Lawns, UC IPM Online
- Sustainable Water Management Profile
- Questions & Answers About Drought and Water Conservation in the Landscape
- Water Conservation Tips for Home Lawn and Garden
- Water Conservation Suggestions for your Home Vegetable Garden
- Drip Irrigation in the Home Landscape (UC ANR Publication)
- Easy Calculators for Estimating Landscape Water Needs
- UCCE Irrigation Scheduling Worksheet
- Use of Graywater in Urban Landscapes in California
- Using Household Waste Water on Plants, UC Vegetable Research and Information Center
Other Water Conservation Resources
- Be Water Smart Residential Resources
- Be Water Smart, Regional Water Authority, includes a list of Sacramento region water providers with recommendations or requirement for reduced water use.
- PCWA Smart Water Use
- Folsom Lake Water Conservation
- Water Efficiency, San Juan Water District