1. What are the key steps for converting my front lawn to a water-wise garden?

• Plan a landscape project: Like any home project, planning is one of the most important aspects of re-landscaping your front yard. For best results, we recommend hiring a landscape designer to develop an appropriate site-specific design or take advantage of our free landscape consultation service.
• Remove the lawn: Do not kill the lawn until after you have completed the landscape consultation with a City of Fresno Water Conservation Team Member. Depending on what your plan is for a new landscape and how much you plan to regrade the yard, we recommend sheet mulching or physical removal.
• Install Hardscape: This optional step can potentially improve a front yard’s functionality and curb appeal. For example, adding a pathway from the sidewalk to the front door can add a functional benefit and create a visually appealing garden element. Another way to create visual interest and a contract to the landscape is by incorporating dry creek beds and boulders, or steps and walls on sloped properties. Visit www.fresnogardening.org for hardscape ideas and inspiration.
• Build a Healthy Soil: Starting a new landscape is the perfect opportunity to improve the soil before planting new plants. Healthy soil is essential to a healthy garden because it helps your plants and landscaping thrive. Healthy soil is alive and is made up of minerals, living and dead plant material, fungi, bacteria, mycorrhizae, insects, and billions of microorganisms.
• Install an Irrigation System: A functional watering system is important for the longevity of your new garden. The goal is to install a system that effectively applies water to the root zones of the plants. Drip irrigation is generally the most efficient system for water-wise landscapes, and it is easy to install.
• Purchase and Install Plants: For best results, it is important to select the right plants for your yard; purchase quality plants and install them properly.

2. What are some of the changes to the new Expanded Lawn-to-Garden Program (EL2G)?

The rebate amount is increasing from $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot for eligible landscape conversion projects. Additionally, the maximum conversion areas are increasing:

• Eligible residential projects may convert up to 10,000 square feet, subject to funding availability and City approval.
• Eligible commercial, industrial, or institutional (CII) projects may convert up to 100,000 square feet, subject to funding availability and City approval.

3. I have already started or completed my project. Can I still get a rebate?

Projects started or completed before City approval are not eligible for this incentive.

4. My lawn has been dead for several months. Do I still qualify for the program?

If your lawn is dead but still in place, we will evaluate your water use within the last two years to determine your eligibility for program participation. However, if you have started or completed the lawn-to-garden conversion, you are not eligible.

5. What types of plants are eligible in the Lawn-to-Garden Program?

There are specific plants suitable for the Fresno Region and the EL2G Program; explore the links below to choose from thousands of water-wise plant options:

• Water-Wise Gardening Fresno Region
• Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) | California Center for Urban Horticulture

6. Is there a requirement for the size of tree to be planted in the converted portion of the landscape?

We recommend a tree large enough to provide some shade in the landscape; select trees that are taller than 15 feet, unless there is a height restriction in the planting areas (Ex. Beneath powerlines). Click here to locate very low, low, or moderate water use trees for the Fresno region.

7. Can I use traditional turf grass as part of my new landscape?

No. Your new landscape cannot contain any turf grasses, artificial or synthetic turf. The Expanded Lawn-to-Garden Program prohibits use of invasive plant grasses or turf-looking grass.

8. How do I effectively kill my lawn?

During your consultation appointment, ask your Landscape Water Conservation Specialist for the best method to kill your lawn. Each turf-type has a different process to kill or remove.

The two most important things to know about killing your lawn are these:

• You must be certain the lawn is completely dead before planting your new landscape
• Even after you plant your new landscape, new weeds will continue to establish themselves; you must remove these weeds as they emerge. If you are diligent and you keep the non-plant areas covered with mulch, then over time very few weeds will get established in your new landscape, making the weeding easy and keeping your landscape looking fresh.
  
  

9. What are the benefits of adding mulch?

Adding minimum of 3” of mulch suppresses weed germination, retains soil moisture, adds soil nutrients, and reduces the surrounding heat index.

10. I live in a homeowner’s association (HOA) and do not have an individual City of Fresno water account. Can I still qualify for the program?

If you’re looking to convert a landscape in a common area, the HOA must apply directly. However, if the project involves your personal front yard within the complex, you can apply by using your City of Fresno Utility Account number (Sewer and/or Solid Waste). Within the application Consultation Questionnaire you will click on question 9 “Yes” and complete the HOA’s information, such as the name of HOA, contact name, HOA Utility Account Number,  service address, and other requested information in the application..

11. We are a Commercial, Industrial or Institutional (CII) organization. Are we eligible to apply for this program?

Yes. If your business has a dedicated City of Fresno irrigation meter or domestic water service, you are eligible to apply for this program; please provide the utility account number associated with the business when you apply for the incentive. City of Fresno will verify account eligibility before issuing a Notice to Proceed on the project.

12. Is there a State lawn replacement incentive program?

No. Currently, there is no State incentive for lawn to garden conversions; we encourage customers to check the availability of State funds that may become available for turf replacement programs.

13. When will I receive my incentive check?

If approved, participants will receive their incentive within approximately 6-9 weeks after the Water Conservation Team verifies that the landscape installation is complete and meets the post-project requirements.

14. Can concrete be installed in the Lawn to Garden conversion area?

Yes, but the total square feet of concrete installed will be subtracted from the total eligible square feet of converted landscape. Example: 1000 sq. ft. lawn removed, 200 sq. ft. of concrete installed, only 800 sq. ft. is eligible for rebate at $4.00 per square foot. Now 33% of 800 sq. ft. will require water-wise plant material at full maturity.

15. Is a tree required in the Lawn to Garden Conversion?

Yes. If there is already a preexisting tree in the lawn conversion area the preexisting tree will satisfy the requirement. If there are no preexisting trees in the conversion area, a new tree must be planted.