Landscape & Irrigation Plans

Design plans are an essential component for the success of your new water wise landscape.  This section will provide you with ideas and samples to help you create your own plans or show you what to expect if hiring a professional to design it.  The ideas in this section are based on 35 years of experience designing sustainable landscapes.

Documented savings for gardens using these standards:

Here are the 4 plans that are recommended (some cities will require these plans as part of the permit process so check with your local city or county building or planning department).

Plot Plan

Draw the outlines of your property on graph paper. Overlay the outline with sheets of tracing paper and sketch in your designs. You don’t need to be an artist, just draw to scale. Be sure to use realistic dimensions for the activity desired in a given area. Generally, scales use the following reference points: 1/8 inch equals 1 foot. However, if your graph paper is divided into 1/4 inch squares, then use 1/4 inch equals 1 foot. Consider the following when planning the layout of your garden:

If you are having trouble drawing what your prospective garden plan might look like, mock up a fake version of the real thing. Tall stakes can stand in for trees, or elements such as an arbor. Large pieces of cardboard can indicate paving or decks. Strings or garden hoses can outline paths and garden rooms. Leave the stakes, cardboard, and hoses in place for a few days to see how it influences traffic patterns, views, privacy, and access.

Hydrozoning—Locating and Grouping Plants Wisely

Organize the garden into hydrozones by grouping plants with similar water needs. If plants requiring little or no irrigation are mixed with those requiring a lot of water, one or the other is going to suffer. The thrifty plants may drown from over-watering, while the under-watered plants may die of thirst. Grouping plants with similar water needs helps keep plants healthy and simplifies plant care.  Each hydrozone should be watered by a different irrigation valve.

The plants in this program have been separated into three water need categories: very low, low, and medium.  The hydrozone report separates the plants into three categories. The hydrozone report can be found by clicking My List on the Main Menu. To determine the water need for an existing plant go to the Main Menu and click on Plants, then Plants by Name and look up by common or botanical name. While this program has an extensive plant list, it is not a complete list. Consult the Internet at http://www.owue.water.ca.gov/docs/wucols00.pdf, library, plant societies or clubs, and local nurseries for information on plants that are not included.