Drought Tolerant, CA Natives, Xeriscaping, Water-wise, Low Water Use... these are all terms you may have heard when it comes to conserving water in the home landscape. This page is designed to provide you with tools for better plant buying decisions, design ideas for those that may be putting in a new landscape or overhauling a pre-existing landscape, and general water conserving landscape tips and suggestions.

When researching plants to purchase it is important to remember that San Joaquin County falls under the USDA Zone 9 and the Sunset Zone 14.

Plant Search Tools - Websites that contain searchable plant lists for our specific zone.

UC Davis Arboretum All Stars - The horticultural staff of the UC Davis Arboretum have identified 100 tough, reliable plants that have been tested in the Arboretum, are easy to grow, don’t need a lot of water, have few problems with pests or diseases, and have outstanding qualities in the garden.

WUCOLS Landscape Water-Use Planning Tool - CA plant database search tool. Chose your city and then select from the 12 different search criteria. Create plants lists to refer to later. This program uses the Water Use Classifications of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) which is s a guide to estimating irrigation water needs of landscape plantings in each of 6 distinct California climate regions.

Sunset Plant Finder - Find the perfect plants and flowers for your garden. Discover the most ideal plants based on climate, special needs including water use, and your gardening style.

 Water-Wise Gardening

Landscape Design & Water Quality - University of California

Easy Water-wise Gardening - Advice and design ideas for the 21st century from the editors of Sunset Magazine

 Water Smart Gardening Websites - A collection of water conservation websites

Gardening in Drought Conditions - Better Homes and Garden

Create a Water-wise Landscape - Better Homes and Garden

River Friendly Landscaping - Water Conservation page. RFL is an environmentally friendly way of gardening. River-Friendly Landscaping practices are designed to conserve water, reduce yard waste, and prevent pollution of our air and local rivers

Save Our Water - Save Our Water is a CA statewide program aimed at helping Californians reduce their everyday water use.

Water Efficient Landscapes -

Water Conservation Landscape Tips - Contra Costa Water District

Water - Use it Wisely Water conserving campaign in Arizona 100+ tips on conserving water

Water Wise Gardening - Sonoma UC Master Gardeners

Water - Use it Wisely "Landscape Care" Water conserving campaign in Arizona 

How To Topics Include:

• Gardening in Small Spaces: Container gardening with water-wise plants
• Timing is Everything: How to program your irrigation controller
• Summer-scaping: Preparing your landscape for summer
• Water-Saving Toolbox: Tools around your home that save water
• Principles of Xeriscape Design: From Landscape to Xeriscape
• Keep Your Landscape From Soaking You: Planning, installing, and maintaining irrigation systems
• Plant Now for the Future: Choosing and planting low water-use plants 

 Gardening with CA Natives 

Take advantage of water conserving plants in your landscape. Once established, many California native plants need minimal irrigation beyond normal rainfall. Saving water conserves a vital, limited resource and saves money, too.

San Joaquin Master Gardener CA Native page

CA Native Plant Society

Las Pilitas Nursery - Plant list of CA Natives. This nursery is located in Southern CA but their website contains lots of great information related to CA Natives.

Yerba Buena Nursery - Native Plant Nursery with helpful links located in Half Moon Bay

Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping - Establishing a Water Efficient Landscape - Cal Recycle

Xeriscaping - Creative Landscaping - Colorado State Univ. Extension