Updates:

OFG meets the 4th Tuesday of every month.

All of our blog posts are now done through our Surfrider chapter website at
http://sandiego.surfrider.org/programs/ocean-friendly-gardens You can also visit our Facebook page at 'Ocean Friendly Gardens - San Diego'






Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Lawn Patrol in Imperial Beach

The next "Lawn Patrol" for Ocean Friendly Gardens will be in Imperial Beach on July 17th from 9am-11am.

Lawn Patrols are a great way to learn about what makes an Ocean Friendly Garden ocean friendly, the impacts of the choices we make in our gardens on the health of our local environment, and what easy steps you can take to turn your garden into an OFG! We talk about soil health, plant choices, how to retain rainwater on-site, and how to use organic choices instead of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides! Come learn about what you can do in your yard, or see how you can lead a Lawn Patrol in your own neighborhood!

The tour will begin at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA

For more information please contact ofg@surfridersd.org

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Planning For Climate Change

Just found this informative (and somewhat unnerving!) website by the Calfornia Energy Commission that tracks the projected effects of climate change on local climates and how this influences how we plan our cities. There was also a recent NPR show about the City of Chicago's Climate Action Plan: Preparing for a Warmer Planet. Many of their recommendations include the same sustainable practices we recommend: using permeable pavement, climate appropriate and drought tolerant plantings, and rainwater harvesting.
Check out the website, lots of interactive maps, articles, and other info!



Measured and Projected San Diego Temperatures

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Three Upcoming Water Harvesting and Greywater Workshops from H20ME

Laundry-to-Landscape Greywater Workshop

Cost: $35
Saturday, June 4
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Clairemont
Learn the fundamentals of using greywater as you help install a simple, laundry greywater system according to county regulations which requires no permit. By using greywater, compost, and mulch we will turn this previously unproductive area into an abundant three sister's garden of corn, beans and squash. This system can be replicated in most San Diego homes, since laundry water is usually easy to get out to the garden whether your house is on a slab or not due to the pump on the washing machine. Potluck lunch and discussion after the workshop.
Learn how in this informative workshop led by Brook Sarson, water harvesting educator and permaculturist. Through her business, H2OME, she has created many water harvesting landscapes throughout San Diego focusing on simple, cost-effective rainwater and greywater solutions. For more information check out http://www.h2o-me.com/
Limited Space so RSVP soon to Brook at 619.964.4838 or brook@h2o-me.com.


Branched Drain Greywater Workshop
Cost: $60
Discounts for couples and work study opportunities

Design Lecture including fundamental water harvesting principles, Branched Drain concepts, and permitting requirements
Friday, June 10
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Talmadge
Attendence is not required, but strongly suggested.


Water Harvesting Tour and Installation Workshop
Saturday, June 11
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Bring your own lunch
Location: Mt. Helix
In this workshop we'll install a branched drain greywater system according to the principles we learned in the previous evening's lecture. We will split the water into 8 passive lines feeding fruit trees and other companion plantings. We will discuss and design a guild for one of the trees and evaluate the earthworks.
This will be a chance for homeowners to understand the logistics for shower, sink, and laundry greywater in a gravity-fed environment. We will transform a gently sloping weed/lawn into a food providing resource, fed primarily from our reclaimed household water.
The workshop will be led by Brook Sarson, water harvesting educator and permaculturist. Through her business, H2OME, she has created many water harvesting landscapes throughout San Diego focusing on simple, cost-effective rainwater and greywater solutions. For more information check out http://www.h2o-me.com/
Limited Space so RSVP soon to Brook at 619.964.4838 or brook@h2o-me.com.


Water Harvesting Tour
Saturday, July 23th 10:00AM-11:30AM
Come see water harvesting in action! Guided by Water Harvesting Professional and Permaculturist, Brook Sarson, you'll see how a passive water harvesting techniques, combined with a 1525 gallon rainwater storage system, as well as laundry and bath greywater work together to grow a garden of edibles (including 20 fruit trees) using only 1/4 of the water that most San Diegans use each day.

As you tour this urban farm setting, you'll see natural building techniques including a cob chicken coop, decorative benches as well as an earth pizza oven. Brook will be on-hand to talk to you about solutions for your space and how you can make a difference by conserving and protecting our most vital resource.

There will be a tour starting at 10:00, with light refreshments and materials to peruse relating to water in our community. You will learn about simple greywater systems, do-it-yourself options, rainwater-harvesting systems, resources, or you can schedule an appointment with Brook to assess greywater and rainwater opportunities at your site.
Suggested donation of $5 will go toward supporting water activism in San Diego. Please RSVP to Brook at brook@h2o-me.com or call 619.964.4838 for the address.