Landscape4 min read
Low-maintenance summer landscaping that doesn't run up the water bill
Drought-tolerant planting, mulch, reduced lawn and drip irrigation — practical ways to keep an East Bay yard looking good through summer.
Summer is when yard maintenance and water bills spike in Contra Costa County. Most of that is avoidable with plant choice and irrigation design rather than more effort.
Economical moves that work
- Native and Mediterranean plant selection suited to local heat
- Mulch to hold soil moisture and suppress weeds
- Reduced lawn — gravel paths, stone patios or low-water ground cover
- Drought-tolerant planting: succulents, ornamental grasses, lavender and salvia
Low-maintenance features
- Rock and gravel gardens
- Perennial beds that come back each year
- Drip irrigation on a weather-based controller
- Pergolas and shade sails to protect plants and seating
Budget-friendly finishing touches
- Clean stone or wood edging to sharpen bed lines
- Containers and planters for seasonal color
- Solar path and accent lighting