Embrace WaterSmart Living
These helpful Guides and Surveys will assist with a wide array of topics including: efficient irrigation, water wise plants, landscape design, healthy soil, finding and fixing leaks, landscape maintenance and more.
Nifty 50 Plant Guide
Enhance your garden with WaterSmart plants that reflect the beauty of San Diego’s natural environment. The Nifty 50 plants are attractive, non-invasive, easy to maintain, long-term performers and are water-wise once established. You can find them at local nurseries.
Homeowner’s WaterSmart Guide
This full-color, magazine-style guide  provides homeowners with a variety of tools and ideas for starting and maintaining low-water-use yards. It covers everything from plant selection and placement to budgeting for landscape retrofits.
Sustainable Landscaping Guide
Photos, diagrams and checklists for following sustainable landscaping principles including: climate-appropriate plants, high-efficiency irrigation equipment, rainwater capture and detention features, and soil amendments to improve water efficiency.
Water Use Surveys
A Water Use Survey is your opportunity to receive free site-specific water-saving recommendations. You’ll benefit from the perspective of our certified irrigation professionals. And you decide if and when to implement the suggestions.
More Landscaping Resources
Compost and Mulch
Fire Protection Landscaping
Garden Magazines, Tours, Shows and Classes
Irrigation
Landscape Design Templates
Landscape Guidebooks
Landscape Makeover Videos
Planning and Budgeting
Professional Help
Rainwater Catchment
Soils, Trees, Planting and Plant Choices
Arboretum All-Stars
California Invasive Plant Council
California Native Plant Library
California Plants Database
Carbon Storage in Soil
Gardening With California Native Plants
How to Garden in a Drought
Master Gardener Association of San Diego County
Monrovia Nursery Plantfinder
Nifty 50 Plants for WaterSmart Landscapes
Plant Right
Select the Right Tree
Succulent Guide
USDA Plants Database
Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS)