Russian River-Friendly Landscaping Practices for Watershed Health
Spring Showers bring May flowers – and then it’s dry until winter rains begin again. Lucky for us, Cloverdale is situated in the heart of Russian River Watershed, one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the state and the ideal location to grow a garden or plant ornamental landscaping! The Russian River Watershed is not only vital for supplying water to our community but also plays a crucial role in supporting our agricultural community, the local environment, as well as supporting a variety of recreational activities.
The State is in the process of implementing proposed standards referred to as Making Conservation a California Way of Life Regulations. The proposed regulations may require substantial reductions in water usage for outdoor landscaping, mandating the replacement of traditional lawns with drought-tolerant plants. While the regulations are still in draft form, they are likely to impact residential water use throughout Sonoma County. The City is actively commenting on the draft regulations to address the impacts on our community. Please keep an eye out for updates on the regulations on a future City Council agenda.
With water use regulations likely becoming more stringent, the ever-looming impact of a future drought on our water supplies and the possible reduction in water supplied by the Potter Valley Project to the Russian River, it is not too late to consider strategies to build a resilient community that can withstand major weather events and the potential impact of drought on your household and landscaping. The Russian River Watershed Association has developed a valuable resource known as the Russian River Friendly Landscape Guidelines, serving as a practical tool for creating or renovating your garden or landscaping in harmony with our watershed’s long-term health.
Russian River Friendly Landscape Guidelines
The Russian River-Friendly Landscape Guidelines (RRFLG) provide a comprehensive toolbox of principles and practices for landscape professionals in the Russian River watershed. These guidelines aim to protect our watershed lands and waterways through an integrated approach to environmentally friendly landscaping.
1. Landscape Locally: Design and maintain landscapes that are well-suited to the local climate, soil, and native plant species. By choosing regionally appropriate plants, you contribute to the health of the ecosystem.
2. Landscape for Less to the Landfill: Reduce waste by reusing materials, recycling, and minimizing green waste. Sustainable landscaping practices help divert materials away from landfills.
3. Nurture the Soil: Healthy soil supports plant growth, reduces erosion, and enhances water retention. Implement practices such as composting, mulching, and avoiding chemical fertilizers.
4. Conserve Water: Use water-efficient irrigation systems, capture rainwater, and select drought-tolerant plants. Water conservation is crucial for maintaining a sustainable landscape.
5. Conserve Energy: Opt for energy-efficient landscape equipment and lighting. Properly placed trees and shrubs can also provide natural shade, reducing energy consumption.
6. Protect Water and Air Quality: Avoid harmful chemicals and pesticides that can leach into waterways. Promote clean air by planting trees and minimizing emissions.
7. Conserve and Protect Wildlife Habitat: Create habitats that support local wildlife, including native plants, nesting sites, and water features.
You can find more information and resources on the Russian River Watershed Association website.
River-Friendly Landscaping techniques help build resiliency into your local landscape while supporting the environment and help bring the birds, the bees, and the good bugs into our Cloverdale gardens!
Carbon Gardening
Russian River Friendly Landscaping includes a fairly new concept for planting a garden, called ‘Carbon Gardening’. Carbon Gardening answers the question, “How can I design my garden in such a way that allows the plants and soil to establish a long-term and thriving community that aligns with the natural environment?” Carbon Gardening focuses on two main things:
1) developing the long-term health of the soil and
2) creating a diverse plant community.
Healthy soil is established by planting native perennial plants, or plants that live longer than 2 years, that can establish deep roots. Tilling the soil less allows microbes (bugs) and mycorrhizae (symbiotic fungi) to remain intact and give plant roots access to more nutrients. When plants do what they do best and convert sunlight into food, they also move carbon dioxide in the atmosphere into the soil. When carbon is taken out of the air and stored in soil, also known as ‘carbon sequestration,’ the carbon remains locked in the soil below. Reducing tillage and using ground covers like mulch and compost also help lock in carbon and retain moisture. This approach to gardening increases the soil’s health and sustainability and supports the relationship between organisms and their environment.
Native Plants
When you put plants in the ground that evolved with their natural environment, it helps to establish a diverse and strong natural ecosystem that benefits the sustainability of our watershed now and into the future. Native plants are generally more drought tolerant and fire resistant than non-native species and often require minimal tilling and grow deeper roots since they do not need to be replanted annually. They generally need less water because they evolved in our Mediterranean climate that fluctuates between dry and rainy seasons. Native species can also be more resistant to local pests requiring fewer toxins and less maintenance. Plus, you can mix and match, group plants together, perhaps add some flair with a California Coffeeberry alongside a California Fuchsia – have fun with it!
An important characteristic of landscaping with California native plants are their ability to contribute to the defensible space of your home garden. Some plants are more ‘fire-resistant’ than others. Groundcover – such as coyote brush can slow down the pace of fire, and the deep roots of the Toyon shrub supports slope stability, helping to prevent mudslides after a fire.
These landscaping practices align with nature in a way that acts like biomimicry to have your garden imitate the ecosystems that have evolved in the Russian River Watershed for hundreds if not thousands of years. Carbon Gardening transforms your yard into a beautiful and thriving ecosystem that contributes to a healthy Russian River Watershed ecology. Enjoy the season of planting by designing your garden to support the health of our creeks and river while sustaining soil health into the future.
