The city of Napa is offering water-wise landscaping workshops to help residents save water by sharing the latest techniques in sprinkler scheduling, drip irrigation, lawn removal, rainwater capture and garden design.
“This very dry year serves as a powerful reminder that outdoor conservation is still the key to a reliable water future,” said Patrick Costello, water resources analyst for the city of Napa.
The city is teaming with the Napa County Resource Conservation District and Napa County Public Works to present this educational series.
For four consecutive weeks beginning Sept. 16, Monday evening sessions will be held in the Little Theater on the Vintage High School campus from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
As a bonus, there will be two Saturday morning hands-on sessions Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 beginning at 10 a.m. centered around developing the new Vintage High School Rain Garden and Water-Wise Landscape.
The series features expert presenters, free water-saving tools, literature, door prizes and information on current local rebate incentives.
Some special offerings this year include the Sept. 28 Bay-Friendly Lose Your Lawn talk and an Oct. 7 author appearance. Workshops are free, but residents are urged to register for specific dates by calling 707-252-4188 ext. 116, or emailing frances@naparcd.org.
The schedule:
• Irrigating Smartly, Sept. 16. After learning to “take control of your controller” using a new online tool/smartphone app and hearing about weather-based “Smart” controllers, watch Harmony Farm Supply staff resolve the mysteries of drip irrigation.
• Preparing Your Site, Sept. 23. Following a summary of the eight principles of water-wise landscaping, local master gardeners will review local soils and the critical importance of aeration, amendments and mulch.
• Learn how to remove your lawn without tearing it out, Sept. 28. There will be a hands-on demonstration of sheet mulching, followed by an optional hour of tabling where you can get one-on-one advice from a garden design expert.
• Capturing the Rain, Sept. 30. How to design and install a rain garden on your property. See the best techniques for capturing rainwater to supplement your irrigation supply. Napa County’s rebate incentives for rain gardens and rain barrels/cisterns will be reviewed.
• Lay the Groundwork, Oct. 5. Be a part of the team developing the Vintage High School Rain Garden and Water-Wise Landscape, a valuable new educational resource for the Napa community showcasing sustainable gardening.
• Choosing the Right Plants, Oct. 7. A special presentation by Sarah Sutton, author of “The New American Front Yard: Kiss Your Grass Goodbye,” and a plant show that will demonstrate that drought-tolerant is anything but boring.
For details, visit the water conservation section at cityofnapa.org/water.
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