We all remember the epic snow storm from last February, but as a new water year begins, we look back on the precipitation and snowpack received in our region to see how we fared overall. Then we take a peek ahead at what we might expect in the coming water year. The...
The trees in our neighborhoods contribute a great deal to our daily lives: they lower stress, reduce rates of asthma, and even mitigate some of the effects of climate change by lowering ambient air temperatures and soaking up rainfall. The trees that grace our gardens...
Mulch is a layer of material — like leaves, bark chips, or even rocks — that you spread across your garden soil. Among its numerous benefits: water conservation. In the average yard, half of the water used for irrigation goes to waste, trickling away as runoff or...
Stay up-to-date on water usage and recommendations. Ashland purchases a small proportion of our domestic water from the Medford Water Commission, so we get to take advantage of their services. One of the services the Commission provides is a weekly watering advisory...
Early spring is the perfect time to get ready for the summer watering season. Performing a few important maintenance tasks now can help your landscape hold water and improve its water efficiency. The tips below help sustain healthy soils that cycle nutrients, minimize...
Free programs and rebates to get your irrigation system ready for summer Did you know that more than one-third of all water consumed by households goes to irrigating our lawns, gardens, and outdoor spaces? In arid places, that number can be as high as 60 percent,...
One of the most important projects in low-water landscaping is lawn removal. Lawns guzzle billions of gallons of water each day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Studies suggest that replacing a lawn with native plants and drip irrigation can save as...
In the United States, our yards are thirsty. They drink up 8 billion gallons of water each day. To water them, most people use either sprinklers or surface irrigation, which involves using a watering can or hose to flood the soil and waiting for all that water to seep...
Save Money and See Better Results Summer brings peak demand for watering lawns, gardens, and landscapes in our region. A well-maintained system keeps your yard beautiful and healthy while minimizing water waste. Follow the tips below to get the most out of your water...
Ready to switch to a waterwise landscape? Fall is the time to get planning. Fall is an ideal time to plant shrubs and trees because the temperatures are mild, and the autumn rains provide additional irrigation for the new plantings as they take hold. It is also a good...
October is the month when we begin accumulating the winter precipitation that brings over 70% of the annual rainfall in our Mediterranean climate. October 2024 brought us 1.14 inches of precipitation; the norm is 1.41 inches. In examining the precipitation records for...
Congratulations, noble adventurers! You’ve mastered the art of cache clearing, transforming the web into a realm of wonder and enchantment!
By Patricia Acklin, Chair, ACC Water Conservation Action Team There is growing interest in the American West in a technique called dry farming, which allows growers to forgo irrigation. This does not mean growing plants without water. Instead, dry-farmed plants use...
In this Ashland Climate Collaborative webinar, Oregon State Climatologist Larry O'Neill, and Medford Water Commission representatives Julie Smitherman, Customer Service & Water Efficiency Manager, and Cody Scoggins,...
In May, our newsletter examined the concept of the “water year,” the part of the year when the majority of our precipitation occurs. It begins in the fall of the year and ends in the spring of the following year, encompassing the months of October through March. About...
Replacing your lawn with drought tolerant landscaping is a great way to save water, reduce your carbon footprint, and create a more beautiful and sustainable landscape. Water savings Traditional lawns require a lot of water to maintain, especially in arid climates....
Credit: AkuAku - stock.adobe.com Read on for tips to reduce water use as the seasons change PLUS fall planting plans that will have a big effect on your summer garden. The fall season is a great time to evaluate our lawns and gardens to make sure we’re making the...