Take Action: Landscape Improvement
Plant OC Garden Friendly Ground Cover
Installing OC Garden Friendly ground cover helps to curb watering times and reduce runoff
Ground cover plants can provide protection for soil and can help lock in moisture. Choosing OC Garden Friendly ground covers, like sundrops (Calyloprus), gives you those same benefits, plus they require less watering. This helps to prevent runoff from excess watering and can save you money! You can see a list of OC Garden Friendly plants here, and can check the resource list below for more options.
*Mexican Bush Sage photo by Barry
*Sundrops photo by Ernie
Who Should Do This?
Adding OC Garden Friendly ground cover can be done by anyone and at any time. Check with the UC Master Gardeners of Orange County to see if certain seasons are better for planting the ground cover you choose.
How Long Will It Take?
Depends on the number of ground cover you choose to plant and the size of the area you are looking to cover; typically, it takes half a day.
How Much Does It Cost?
Water-wise ground cover prices vary, starting around $5 for a six-pack tray. Look for plants that grow quickly, or that you can propagate yourself to reduce cost and time spent gardening. They can be found at most nurseries and home improvement garden centers. Gardening supplies like hand shovels and gloves, will cost an additional $5-10 depending on the brand. If you are interested in doing a complete water-wise overhaul of your existing landscape, click here to see if you are eligible for a rebate!
What are the Benefits?
- Enhances the aesthetic of your yard
- Protects soil and locks in moisture
- Reduces amount of water needed, preventing runoff and saving you money
What is Needed to Get Started?
- Water-wise ground cover
- Gardening gloves
- Hand shovel
Did You Know?
OC Garden Friendly ground cover can also attract beneficial pollinators like butterflies to your yard. Choose a blooming ground cover, such as woolly thyme, to reap these benefits!
Resources
Landscape & Sustainable Water Use Guide
Proper Maintenance of Landscapes & Gardens To Protect Our Waterways
Filter the WUCOLS database to find ground cover: click here.
Find ground cover and other types of plants through the South Coast Water District’s website: click here.
Tips on native California gardening, including OC Garden Friendly ground cover: click here.
List of fire-resistant OC Garden Friendly plants, including ground cover. OC Garden Friendly plants are marked with an “o”: click here.
My Commitment: Plant OC Garden Friendly Ground Cover
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