Water-Wise Landscape Tour at the California Honey Festival, May 6th

The City of Woodland’s 6th Annual, free Water-Wise Landscape Tour will be held on Saturday, May 6th in partnership with the California Honey Festival in historic downtown Woodland.  Guided walking tours of water-wise and bee-friendly landscapes will run from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tours will leave from and return to the California Honey Festival at the Garden Stage on First and Main Streets. For more information, visit www.waterwisewoodland.weebly.com and www.californiahoneyfestival.com. New information will be posted as details become available.
 
With over half of the water used at home going to irrigation, water-wise landscapes are a key way residents can reduce their water use. “Taking those first steps to convert your yard to a drought-tolerant landscape can sometimes be overwhelming,” said Jordan Power, Water Conservation Coordinator for the City of Woodland, “This tour is a great chance to see what is possible first hand.  Tour goers will visit yards with a variety of beautiful, water-wise landscapes.”
 
In addition to lowering water use, non-turf yards provide valuable food and habitat for bees and other beneficial insects. Tour participants will learn how to plan for bees when switching to a water-wise yard. For example, bees need year-round sources of food. Choosing plants that provide your garden with blooms year-round will help provide nutrients for pollinators.  Also, bees found in urban gardens vary in size, flower color preference, and feeding styles. You can accommodate these differences by selecting water-wise plants with varied flower shapes, sizes, and colors. Stop by the city’s Environmental Services booth by the Garden Stage at the California Honey Festival and join us on the tour for more environmentally friendly garden tips that also add beauty your neighborhood.
 
Guided walking tours will leave periodically throughout the day. At each landscape, UCCE Master Gardeners of Yolo County and homeowners will be available to answer gardening questions and share their experiences. Water-wise and bee-friendly plants will be highlighted and tour participants will go home with resources to start landscape makeover projects of their own.
 
Stay tuned for more information. Sign up for the EnviroWoodland eNewsletter to stay up to date on events, rebates, and more. Visit cityofwoodland.org/mycity/envirowoodland.asp to subscribe. For more information about the City of Woodland’s Water Conservation Program visit www.cityofwoodland.org/waterconservation, email conservewater@cityofwoodland.org or call (530) 661-2067. 

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