How are you going to reduce your water use by 35%. Here are a few water saving practices to help you get there. Water-saving Lawn Tips:
- Select water efficient varieties suited for Southern California.
- Replace nonessential turf with ground covers, and mulches.
- Adjust irrigation schedule monthly – to reflect seasonal changes
- Lawns are the main water guzzlers, how much lawn do you really need?
- Water at night, ideally between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., this reduces evaporation and wind will not be strong enough to interfere with sprinkler patterns
- Mow lawns higher during very warm weather
- Helps reduce growth rate
- Protects lawn from sunburn
- Promotes deeper root growth
- Shades soil, reduces weeds

- Remove plants in crowded beds or low-priority plants competing for soil moisture
- Mulch, mulch, mulch with a 3-4″ layer of tree trimmings
- Reduces water evaporation and weeds
- Protects roots from heat
- Reduces weeds who compete for water
- Avoid heavy pruning
- Do not overuse fertilizers, which increase growth and water demands
- Infrequent deep watering encourages deeper root growth, and results in plants with greater drought tolerance
- Use a drip irrigation system, grouping plants with similar water needs together on one drip irrigation line
Water-saving Edible Garden Tips:
- Plant an appropriate size garden for your household
- Plant shorter season crops and drought resistant varieties
- Know critical watering periods, for example transplanting and fruit development
- Apply a 3” to 4” layer of mulch
- Remove weeds, which compete for water resources
- Install a water efficient drip irrigation system
source: http://cagardenweb.ucanr.edu/Drought_/Drought_Gardening_Tips_/