feedback on using city's front lawn replacement program (HOA, house)

[sandy131]

I just closed on a house yesterday. It has a about 500 sq ft of front lawn and I am interested in using the incentive to replace that lawn with something more water conservative. The house has an HOA and I have seen a few lawns go xeri-scaped in the neighborhood.

Did you take advantage of this incentive and what was your experience. What are some of things I should be watching for. Any gotchas ?
I need ideas on what to replace the lawn with. any websites with pictures, tips, advice you can point to are appreciated.
Landscaping companies that you can recommend

Also .. the front lawn is turning yellow. It looks like seller has turned off sprinklers in the front - so far I haven't gotten any response on how to turn them on. I know it should be fairly simple, but I can't figure out what's to be done. Any help here is also appreciated.

thanks
-Sandy

[Cardiff Kook]

I used the SoCal watersmart rebate and got about 1.2k back on 600 sq ft installation. Last I heard all the funds had been exhausted for this program. I'm not familiar with the city program you are referring to

[1AngryTaxPayer]

We did the water barrels and ripped out the crabgrass

[StarsNStripes]

if you've tried turning the sprinklers on by way of the valves and they still aren't going on, there may be a timer control hidden somewhere (check the garage for it, too) that is turned to "off".

tip: if you are going to replace the lawn, let it die completely first if you can. grass comes back even when you think it's dead. zombie grass, yeah.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by StarsNStripes

if you've tried turning the sprinklers on by way of the valves and they still aren't going on, there may be a timer control hidden somewhere (check the garage for it, too) that is turned to "off".

tip: if you are going to replace the lawn, let it die completely first if you can. grass comes back even when you think it's dead. zombie grass, yeah.

Crab grass can live for months underground. There are many methods, like watering to see what comes up then spray it but the best method is roto-tilling and making sure it's mulch. You have to do it a few times too. A good hot summer makes it easier.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

If you want to do this make sure you get someone out to see your grass areas before removing it. Some lady was on the news all bent because she submitted it all done and it got rejected.

Well, how is the City worker to know if it was grass?

[ShelbyGirl1]

We were told the program has run out of money and is now closed.

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

We were told the program has run out of money and is now closed.

Definitely, keep an eye on the progam in case they replenish the funds again. We took advantage of the program last year and our rebate totalled nearly $8,000! Well worth the paperwork and inspection.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

Definitely, keep an eye on the progam in case they replenish the funds again. We took advantage of the program last year and our rebate totalled nearly $8,000! Well worth the paperwork and inspection.

will do! Thanks!

[Cardiff Kook]

Originally Posted by sdurbanite

Definitely, keep an eye on the progam in case they replenish the funds again. We took advantage of the program last year and our rebate totalled nearly $8,000! Well worth the paperwork and inspection.

totally agree. you must have had a ton of turf replaced if your rebate was 8k