DIY STEPS & RESOURCES
Scroll below to access "how to" videos and step-by-step written instructions to install an EcoGarden. SELVA's landscaping program is available to help you through any or all of these steps. To request consultation or installation services, fill out this EcoGardens Inquiry Form
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*The following information is made available through collaboration with LADWP, Surfrider Foundation, and the Neighborhood Council Sustainability Alliance.
Site Evaluation
We'll set up your appointment with one of our team members
who will provide a custom site analysis of potential sustainable landscaping solutions, based on site-specific variables such as soil type, sun exposure, slope and drainage, and of course, your interests!
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Micro-Grading & Rain Garden Creation
We can design and build berms, swales and rain gardens to capture rain for plant usage and minimize off-site runoff, which lowers your water bill and protects our oceans too!
Landscape Design
Several professional landscape design templates are available, and can be adapted to your site for reduced design fees. Our landscape designer can provide a customized garden design including native plant selection and placement based on site-specific conditions and your preferences.
Soil Prep & Sheet Mulching
We will provide a natural compostable barrier to block weeds and turf re-growth, and reduce evaporation loss of soil moisture. Other solutions such as weedkillers and weed control fabrics are not recommended.
Planning
We'll help you with as much or as little of the details that you want: Rebate application, city permitting, dumpster rental and removal, mulch and plant delivery, organization of equipment and labor, etc.
Planting
There is a right way and a wrong way to plant. Let the us do it the right way for reduced plant shock upon transplanting and easier integration into their new soil environment.
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Lawn Removal
This job is labor intensive! Removing your lawn is an important part of creating a less wasteful, more natural garden.
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Maintenance
It's important to maintain your garden. We offer tips and services to assist you with this task. After your garden is established, it will require very little water and care compared to lawn and non-native landscapes.
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Step by Step EcoGardens Instructions
1.
Apply for the rebate
Los Angeles and Santa Monica are currently offering rebates for lawn and parkway conversions. Always check their websites to confirm rebate amount and availability. Allow 2-4 weeks for approval.
For Los Angeles:
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For application information, visit SoCalWaterSmart's How to Apply page
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Or go directly to the Turf Replacement Application
For Santa Monica:
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For rebate information, visit the Santa Monica OSE page
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Or go directly to the Cash for Grass Application
2.
Think about your landscape design!
Incorporating California Native Plants
- Create your own design or hire us to help. SELVA, working with designers Tricia O’Connell and Elisabeth Weinstein, has created four landscape templates that use California native plants local to Los Angeles. We are available to help you fit one of these templates to your garden.
BOOKS + GUIDES
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California Native Plants for the Garden, Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart O’Brien
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Ocean Friendly Gardens Guide
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Creating and Caring for your Native Plant Garden: Maintenance Guide
from Tree of Life Nursery -
Planting + Plant Selection Guides from Theodore Payne Foundation
Rainwater Capture
Think about how you can capture the water that flows on your property, for example by redirecting downspouts from your roof into a rain garden! If you are interested in capturing rainwater for reuse, read more on rain barrels or cisterns. With cisterns you can capture large quantities of water to reuse in your garden!
3.
Get to know native plants!
If you plan to do your design on your own start thinking about the types of plants you would like. Choose all California natives if possible, as this will give you wildlife habitat benefits, in addition to water conservation. We also recommend natives that are local to Los Angeles, as they are best adapted to this climate, and they provide the best habitat for local wildlife and pollinators!
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Calscape - you can input your address to see which plants are native to your area!
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Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden Plant List
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Theodore Payne Foundation and Nursery
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California Native Plant Society
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LADWP Plant List
4.
Research your plants
If you plan to do your design on your own- while you wait for your rebate start thinking about the types of plants you would like. Choose all California natives if possible, as this will give you wildlife habitat benefits, in addition to water conservation. We also recommend natives that are local to Los Angeles, as they are best adapted to this climate, and they provide the best habitat for local wildlife and pollinators!
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Calscape - you can input your address to see which plants are native to your area!
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Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden Plant List
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Theodore Payne Foundation and Nursery
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California Native Plant Society
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LADWP Plant List
5.
3 WEEKS OUT - Set a timeline!
Once you have received your rebate approval you will need to set a timeline for your project.
If removing a lawn, you will need to rent a lowboy dumpster for the debris. Plan to have it delivered two days before the start of your project. Continue to water the area to make removal easier.
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Approved haulers for City of Santa Monica
You will need to apply for a permit from the city you live in to have the dumpster parked in the street.
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For LA contact Bureau of Street Services >> Choose New Application tab.
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For Santa Monica contact Public Works Dept
Start finding friends and family to help you on your work days. Make it a party!
You may want to do the lawn removal and sheet mulching one day/weekend and the planting a couple weeks later. It is good for the mulch to start doing its work ahead of time.
6.
2 WEEKS OUT - Prepare to work!
Before you dig, you will need to find out where important pipes and utility cables are.
Contact DigAlert - a free online service that will alert your utilities to come out and flag or mark where you need to be cautious about digging.
Order mulch. Below are a few resources, one free and two pay. Know where you will want to have it delivered. Driveways are best.
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Chip Drop
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Cal Blends Soils
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Soil Direct
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Soil & Sod Depot 818-686-6445 (Pacoima)
If removing a lawn, you will need to reserve a sod cutter. You may also need a truck or van to transport it.
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Quality Equipment Rentals - sod cutter
If you don’t want mud tracked into your house, you may want to consider renting a port-a-potty.
Finalize your design and plant list.
Check on your permit if it hasn’t been approved.
7.
1 WEEK OUT - Now the fun begins!
Order your plants.
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CNPS Nursery referrals In LA area, at present time
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Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants
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Las Pilitas Nursery: www.LasPilitas.com
HOW TO BUILD A RAIN GARDEN
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Calculate your Rain Water Harvest Potential by Surfrider Foundation
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How to Build a Rain Garden
LEARN WHY SHEET MULCHING IS IMPORTANT
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How to sheet mulch
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Sheet Mulching Video by Shruti Shankar
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Buy any tools you need and builders paper for your sheet mulching. Any hardware store, Home Depot, etc.
Confirm any deliveries (dumpster, mulch, potty).
Shop for food for your workday volunteers.
Keep watering well.
8.
WORKDAY #1
Pick up sod cutter
Cut and haul sod to dumpster
Dig out by hand around edges to be sure to get all the roots
Dig your trenches and swale for your rain garden
Lay your sheet mulch
Install your irrigation (this can also be done after the plants are installed for better placement)
Water, water water the mulch.
9.
WORKDAY #2
Install your plants
How to plant
Install irrigation (if desired)
Unless you have the time and desire to hand water (best choice), you will want to install a drip irrigation system. It is easy to adapt to a current irrigation system. We recommend it be installed after the plants so that you can be sure not to have it too close to the base of the plants. Just pull the mulch back and lay the tubes under the mulch.
Sprinkler to drip retrofit
Converting to drip irrigation video
Resource for product and info - they can probably recommend an installer if you need help.
10.
Enjoy your garden!
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Check out our Garden Maintenance page to the upkeep of your sustainable garden. The first year is crucial for plant establishment. Also, you'll need to do some occassional weeding and maintenance, but it will be worth it!