The Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners increased the financial incentive for Long Beach residents and businesses participating in the Lawn-to-Garden turf removal program, using new funding provided by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, according to officials Tuesday, March 26.
The Lawn-to-Garden program changes go into effect Monday, April 1.
The residential program changes include:
• Increasing the front-yard conversion incentive to $3 per square foot (from the current $2).
• Creating a new backyard and side-yard conversion incentive of $2 per square foot.
• Increasing the maximum square footage to 5,000 square feet (from the current 1,500 square feet).
The commercial program changes include:
• Increasing the conversion incentive to $2 per square foot.
• Increasing the maximum square footage to 50,000 square feet (from the current 25,000 square feet).
“We are proud to make these changes to our flagship Lawn-to-Garden program,” said Gloria Cordero, president of the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners. “Sustainability is our way of life in Long Beach, and these changes will allow for a greater number of beautiful, California-friendly landscape conversions and, ultimately, more water savings.”
All Lawn-to-Garden projects will include water-wise or California native plants, 65 percent plant coverage, a storm water retention feature, an efficient irrigation system, habitat development and the use of mulch and other natural materials, according to officials.
Residents that have completed a front-yard Lawn-to-Garden transformation in the past may be eligible to transform their side and/or backyards. Customers will be limited to one application/project per fiscal year.
For more information and to apply, visit lblawntogarden.com or call (562) 570-2429.
Since its start in 2010, the Lawn-to-Garden program has supported and incentivized landscape conversions from thirsty and non-functional grass to water-wise gardens, officials said. It has converted over 3,400 landscapes and 3.5 million square feet of turf.
Each spring, Long Beach Water hosts a free Lawn-to-Garden Tour and Festival that features water-wise landscape conversions throughout the city and a water education festival at 1800 E. Wardlow Rd.
The 8th Annual Lawn-to-Garden Tour and Festival is on Saturday, June 1 from 9am to 2pm. Residents will be able to tour up to 20 newly transformed gardens and speak to the homeowners about their landscapes.
After the tour will be a festival, which will feature foods and beverages available for purchase by our Certified Blue Restaurants. The event will also include miscellaneous entertainment.
Register for the tour map at lblawntogarden.com.
