As warmer months near, Santa Barbara city officials are urging local residents to learn more about drought-resistant plants and water-conserving irrigation techniques via a CD and DVD available through the city’s Water Conservation Program.
The CD, titled “Water Wise Gardening in Santa Barbara County,” features a database of searchable information on more than 1,000 drought-resistant plants, more than 300 photos of garden tours, and helpful facts and resources on gardening designs and practices.
The “Laundry to Landscape” DVD offers instructions on how to install an irrigation system using graywater from a washing machine. The 90-minute program is hosted by ecological designer Art Ludwig and includes information on tools, parts and installation tricks.
The state recently approved the installation of graywater systems without building permits, allowing local homeowners to install a laundry-to-landscape water system without a permit.
The CD and DVD can be borrowed from the library, picked up for free from the city’s water program at 630 Garden St., or seen online at www.sbwater.org. More information is available at www.santabarbaraca.gov/water or by calling the water conservation hotline at 564-5460.