Lawn to Garden
Water efficiency is the Long Beach way of life! Turn your water-thirsty lawn into a drought-resistant, beautiful garden with our Lawn-to-Garden (L2G) program. The new L2G program was created with the goal of making the landscapes of Long Beach sustainable and water efficient, while also providing multiple benefits for the environment such as capturing storm water, reducing runoff and developing habitat for birds and butterflies. All L2G projects are now eligible to receive an incentive of $3.00 per square foot of lawn removed in the front yard and/or $3.00 per square foot in the backyard, for a total of up to 5,000 square feet. A design reimbursement of up to $1,500 for the cost of a professional landscape design is also available. All new L2G projects must include:
- The use of low-water using California Native plants and/or California-friendly plants
- 65% plant coverage in the re-landscaped area
- A storm water retention feature
- Habitat development
- An efficient irrigation system
- The use of mulch and other natural materials
Please note, synthetic turf is not an approved conversion option for this program.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
When you participate in the Lawn-to-Garden program, you are making an investment in your home and in the Long Beach community at large. Incentives are available for front and backyards, apply below!
Benefits of a water-efficient landscape
Conserve Water and Energy!
Our imported water supplies have been permanently reduced; we must use our remaining supplies more efficiently. Additionally, water-related energy use in California consumes about 20% of the state’s electricity. By converting your grass lawn to a water-wise garden, you can help increase personal and city-wide water and energy conservation and drought resilience.
Save Money
About half the water used is for landscape irrigation; beautiful L2G landscapes can reduce water use per square foot by 70% or more, leading to savings on your water bill, as well as save time needed to maintain a grass lawn
Benefit the Environment
Not only do water-wise gardens help beautify homes, neighborhoods and Long Beach City, they also:
- Benefit the environment by capturing storm water and decreasing urban runoff into the Long Beach coastal marine habitat
- Create habitat for wildlife such as hummingbirds and butterflies
“Saving water was the reason we chose to convert our lawn to a garden, but the pleasures of this beautiful space are the best reward. The smell of the various native sages makes walkers smile and slow down. The bursts of spring colors fill my eyes. And the butterflies, bees, hummers and other birds bring nature to my kitchen window. It’s worth the work.”
— Ann Courtney, Lawn-to-Garden program participant
“I am so pleased with the entire experience. The process from the application to completion of the project was so smooth. I am proud of my new drought tolerant lawn and love to see people stop and admire it.”
— Jacqueline Burke, DIG program participant