Why we might all want to think twice about the virtues of a green, lush lawn

Friends and neighbors have probably been wondering why we have been neglecting the side yard of our house, which is on a corner. I have several excuses. But the biggest reason is that we haven't figured out what to do with it.

My neighbor across the street has advice: Water more frequently and fertilize. That's what she does. She'd be surprised to know that I am as troubled by her yard as she is by mine. Anyone who understands what is going on with water around here can never look at a lush green lawn the same way again.

Even though we are surrounded by rivers in San Joaquin County, we have been getting our water from underground for over a hundred years. Mokelumne River water largely goes to the East Bay Area. The Tuolumne River keeps San Francisco's Golden Gate Park green. Stanislaus and San Joaquin River water gets diverted upstream for agricultural and urban users in the southern Central Valley. By the time the San Joaquin River gets to the Delta, it has become what Sen. Mike Machado has described as a huge septic system carrying waste generated by cities and agriculture.

Of the water that makes it to the Delta — mostly from the Sacramento River — the majority goes out to sea, but the next largest percentage goes to the South Bay Area, to farmers on the west side of the Central Valley, and to Southern California for urban use and agriculture.

Diverting water this way did not seem like a problem in the early part of the 20th century. San Joaquin County was mostly agricultural and the aquifer — the underground layer of material that holds water — was high enough for wells to provide adequate water for farmers and other residents. In fact, most of us have heard how once upon a time, Lodi was the watermelon capital of the world because the roots of the melons could find water so close to the surface.

But that water table has fallen as more water is taken out than gets back in from above-ground sources. According to Frank Beeler, Lodi's water superintendent, the water table measured at wells within the city dropped a total of 15.2 feet from 1962 to 2007.

When the house I live in near Hutchins Street Square was built in 1927, they couldn't dig the basement deep enough to make the ceiling normal height because the water table was so high. But just since 1962, City Well No. 2 Downtown has gone from 36 feet below the surface to 52.9 feet below. Most city wells have registered similar drops.

Lodi had a plan to reduce our use of groundwater and meet part of the city's needs by buying Mokelumne River water from the Woodbridge Irrigation District and treating it in a plant near Lodi Lake. The City Council was going to pay for that plant with developer fees. Then the housing market plunged. We're still paying Woodbridge Irrigation District $60,000 a month, though. We're "banking" the water — not actually putting it anywhere, but paying for the right to draw it later when we have the facility to treat it.

Another way to reduce our use of groundwater is to use water more efficiently, and that is where my yard, and everyone else's, enters the picture.

In my last column, I noted that agriculture is the biggest user of water in California. But according to the Department of Water Resources, the biggest "crop" in the state is — grass.

And every week or so, we harvest that crop and send it to landfills.

Traditional landscaping, especially grass, is thirsty. Outdoor watering accounts for close to 40 percent of total residential water use statewide, according to an estimate by the Pacific Institute. In the northern San Joaquin Valley where we live, water experts say the figure is closer to 50 percent.

In addition to requiring a lot of water, traditional landscaping uses nitrogen-rich fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals create lush and weed-free growth, but they also get into the groundwater, make their way to streams and rivers, and kill fish.

One more problem with lawns is that unless you have a very carefully adjusted sprinkler system, a lot of your water is ending up in the gutter. There, it picks up litter, dirt, spilled oil and fuel, and other chemical contaminants, which it carries down the storm drains. The sewage we generate from indoor uses like toilets and sinks gets treated before it is released into rivers. Run-off from city streets should be treated also, but it is difficult and expensive to do this.

In the neighborhood where I live, a water-efficient landscape of rocks and cactus just wouldn't fit. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives. Many kinds of plants can stay green with much less water than lawns need. They don't require a lot of fertilizer and often don't require weekly maintenance.

UC Extension was able to refer me to just one local person trained in designing water-efficient landscaping. He got his certificate in the Bay Area, where water is currently being rationed, and where residents have paid for years for the amount of water they use.

I want to assure my neighbors and friends that we are consulting him about how to get that neglected side yard looking presentable. But we probably won't be replacing the lawn.

Jane Wagner-Tyack of Lodi is a freelance writer, writing consultant, and former educator, who serves on the board of directors of Restore the Delta (www.restorethedelta.org), a grassroots campaign focused on protecting recreation, agriculture, and the environment in the Delta. You can reach Jane at janetyack@gmail.com.

Reader Feedback

Robb wrote on Nov 12, 2008 3:33 PM:

" I am with your neighbor, I have glorious lawns, front & back. Sure it takes some water, and time, but the reality is, I do not have a meter and the "water cops" don't patrol at night..! "

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Whoa Nellie! wrote on Nov 8, 2008 7:45 PM:

" Jane, wonderful column. I will enjoy future writings I'm sure.

And you're right, a "rock & cactus" landscape would not fit in near HSS. But I bet you're rolling your eyes at that new swimming pool going in next door to you, lol! "

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edumacation wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:18 PM:

" Try some blue thistle. "

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edumacation wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:18 PM:

" Try some myrtle spurge. I promise you it grows fast, its indigenous to this area, it doesn't need water, and it nice flowers. No triming required. It grows all over the area. "

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edumacation wrote on Nov 7, 2008 5:14 PM:

" I have an idea. Stack up a pile of rocks on it, higher than the weeds (6 feet?). In time, no more weeds. Don't water it and tell your neighbors its an art sculpture. Whats the problem with that? "

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