Watering during the draught (Sacramento, Roseville: 2014, landscaping, contractor)

[Majin]

Originally Posted by cb73

As I've been watering my lawn less and less this year, I've noticed a change. It wasn't that the grass just was getting brown, it was that California burclover was growing like crazy. If you're not familiar with that, it's a clover that produces brown burs that get caught in pet fur and hurt when you step on them. The places where it's taken over, the grass is totally dead and gone.

I was looking for references to it online and found numerous references from the last drought from people who let their lawn go brown and ended up having large expanses of burclover. They had to dig it all out, screen out all the burs--the seeds are good for several years--then totally re-sod the lawn.

All the people advocating "just let your lawn go brown--it will come back"--I wonder how many people will end up with a lawn full of weeds and no grass left.

That's exactly why I do and will continue to water my lawn everyday. Screw the drought.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by cb73

As I've been watering my lawn less and less this year, I've noticed a change. It wasn't that the grass just was getting brown, it was that California burclover was growing like crazy. If you're not familiar with that, it's a clover that produces brown burs that get caught in pet fur and hurt when you step on them. The places where it's taken over, the grass is totally dead and gone.

I was looking for references to it online and found numerous references from the last drought from people who let their lawn go brown and ended up having large expanses of burclover. They had to dig it all out, screen out all the burs--the seeds are good for several years--then totally re-sod the lawn.

All the people advocating "just let your lawn go brown--it will come back"--I wonder how many people will end up with a lawn full of weeds and no grass left.

that burclover crap grows like crazy, and it doesn't seem to need water either.

[xenxes]

The fake turfs are beginning to look pretty good StarPro Greens Centipede Southwest Synthetic Lawn Grass Turf, Sold by 15 ft. W rolls x Your L ($2.97/Sq. Ft. Equivalent)-RGB7 - The Home Depot

Works if you don't have a dog

[MyNewsLogin]

Originally Posted by xenxes

The fake turfs are beginning to look pretty good StarPro Greens Centipede Southwest Synthetic Lawn Grass Turf, Sold by 15 ft. W rolls x Your L ($2.97/Sq. Ft. Equivalent)-RGB7 - The Home Depot

Works if you don't have a dog

And if you don't live in the City of Sacramento. In fact you have to have 60% of your front yard with "living vegetation". Concrete, mulch, fake grass and other ground covers that do not require water are prohibited.

[cb73]

For the people moving to fake lawns--when the rains come will the soil erode?

I have 'groundwater intrusion' at the back of my house that the French drains didn't totally fix--I need a full re-grade and better drains. I've found that growing mint--or even weeds--against the back of the house helps tremendously as the roots help soak up the water before it seeps up into the back rooms.

I'm imagining people making massive changes and then during a seriously rainy winter they end up with flooding and erosion.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by MyNewsLogin

And if you don't live in the City of Sacramento. In fact you have to have 60% of your front yard with "living vegetation". Concrete, mulch, fake grass and other ground covers that do not require water are prohibited.

huh? I don't follow that..I live in Carmichael, there are no rules like that here. In fact the only place I have run across those kinds of rules are in an HOA

[MyNewsLogin]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

huh? I don't follow that..I live in Carmichael, there are no rules like that here. In fact the only place I have run across those kinds of rules are in an HOA

See Sacramento City Code 17.612.010.

Single-unit and duplex dwellings—Front-yard and street side-yard setbacks.

a. Setback area paving restrictions. A maximum of 40% of the required front-yard setback may be paved for off-street parking and driveways. An additional maximum of 10% of the front-yard setback may be paved for walkways or uncovered patio use. A maximum of 40% of the required street side-yard setback may be paved for off-street parking, driveways, walkways, or uncovered patio use; however, this maximum limitation does not apply to that portion of the street side-yard located behind a fence that is in compliance with the street side fence requirements set forth in chapter 17.620.

b. Landscape and maintenance requirements. The unpaved portion of a front-yard setback and street side-yard setback shall be landscaped, irrigated, and maintained. The landscape may include grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, and any design elements such as planters, rocks, mulch, or similar elements when integrated as part of the landscape. However, only living vegetation may be used as a primary ground cover; no cement, brick, artificial turf, or other non-vegetative products such as plastic plants or flowers may be used for this purpose. All landscaping materials shall be mowed, trimmed, and maintained as often as necessary to prevent overgrowth and blight. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped setback area.


I have had fights with code enforcement over these provisions. Several years ago, I had replaced my lawn with drought tolerant plants surrounded by mulch with walkways of lava stone. A neighbor complained and I was instructed to remove everything and put the lawn back within two weeks or face fines. He measured the area and informed me how much surface I could have that was not covered with a "living vegetation" ground cover. I had no choice but to install sod to get it acceptable within the time frame.

All it would take is a complaint from a neighbor or someone passing through and this code would have to be enforced. Until they change the code, my lawn stays. I can't afford to do otherwise.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by MyNewsLogin

See Sacramento City Code 17.612.010.

Single-unit and duplex dwellings—Front-yard and street side-yard setbacks.

a. Setback area paving restrictions. A maximum of 40% of the required front-yard setback may be paved for off-street parking and driveways. An additional maximum of 10% of the front-yard setback may be paved for walkways or uncovered patio use. A maximum of 40% of the required street side-yard setback may be paved for off-street parking, driveways, walkways, or uncovered patio use; however, this maximum limitation does not apply to that portion of the street side-yard located behind a fence that is in compliance with the street side fence requirements set forth in chapter 17.620.

b. Landscape and maintenance requirements. The unpaved portion of a front-yard setback and street side-yard setback shall be landscaped, irrigated, and maintained. The landscape may include grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, and any design elements such as planters, rocks, mulch, or similar elements when integrated as part of the landscape. However, only living vegetation may be used as a primary ground cover; no cement, brick, artificial turf, or other non-vegetative products such as plastic plants or flowers may be used for this purpose. All landscaping materials shall be mowed, trimmed, and maintained as often as necessary to prevent overgrowth and blight. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped setback area.


I have had fights with code enforcement over these provisions. Several years ago, I had replaced my lawn with drought tolerant plants surrounded by mulch with walkways of lava stone. A neighbor complained and I was instructed to remove everything and put the lawn back within two weeks or face fines. He measured the area and informed me how much surface I could have that was not covered with a "living vegetation" ground cover. I had no choice but to install sod to get it acceptable within the time frame.

All it would take is a complaint from a neighbor or someone passing through and this code would have to be enforced. Until they change the code, my lawn stays. I can't afford to do otherwise.

Ok thanks I misunderstood, in your post you said "And if you don't live in the City of Sacramento." which I thought meant these rules applied to people not residing in Sacramento. Sorry you have to deal with that can you go to a council meeting and express your concerns there?

[Elliott_CA]

Originally Posted by cb73

For the people moving to fake lawns

I looked into artificial turf -- then ran away from it. Installing it is a hassle, it requires a very level and highly compacted sand bed. It requires considerable maintenance, including -- get this -- periodic watering. Yup, when the plastic gets coated with dust you need to spray it down to restore the green. Have a party and a guest spills food? Get out the detergent and start scrubbing and rinsing, hoping the stain isn't permanent. Windy day? Get out the vacuum to pick up leaves and debris. The final straw is heat retention. Unlike natural grass, plastic turf gets hot in the sun and radiates heat. After all this, you're looking at maybe 10 or 12 years of lifespan before the plastic rots and you have to rip it out and replace it.

No thanks.

[Rob98LS1]

Originally Posted by MyNewsLogin

See Sacramento City Code 17.612.010.

Single-unit and duplex dwellings—Front-yard and street side-yard setbacks.

a. Setback area paving restrictions. A maximum of 40% of the required front-yard setback may be paved for off-street parking and driveways. An additional maximum of 10% of the front-yard setback may be paved for walkways or uncovered patio use. A maximum of 40% of the required street side-yard setback may be paved for off-street parking, driveways, walkways, or uncovered patio use; however, this maximum limitation does not apply to that portion of the street side-yard located behind a fence that is in compliance with the street side fence requirements set forth in chapter 17.620.

b. Landscape and maintenance requirements. The unpaved portion of a front-yard setback and street side-yard setback shall be landscaped, irrigated, and maintained. The landscape may include grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, and any design elements such as planters, rocks, mulch, or similar elements when integrated as part of the landscape. However, only living vegetation may be used as a primary ground cover; no cement, brick, artificial turf, or other non-vegetative products such as plastic plants or flowers may be used for this purpose. All landscaping materials shall be mowed, trimmed, and maintained as often as necessary to prevent overgrowth and blight. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped setback area.


I have had fights with code enforcement over these provisions. Several years ago, I had replaced my lawn with drought tolerant plants surrounded by mulch with walkways of lava stone. A neighbor complained and I was instructed to remove everything and put the lawn back within two weeks or face fines. He measured the area and informed me how much surface I could have that was not covered with a "living vegetation" ground cover. I had no choice but to install sod to get it acceptable within the time frame.

All it would take is a complaint from a neighbor or someone passing through and this code would have to be enforced. Until they change the code, my lawn stays. I can't afford to do otherwise.

If you're following the code, then you wouldn't have been instructed to correct the alleged violation. What were you specifically out of compliance of? Not enough living vegetation?