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Landscape Control Systems
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Manual systems keep you in touch with your garden and it’s water needs. You must decide each day if, when and how much to water. You must be there when it’s time to turn the system on and when it’s time to turn it off. Studies show that people with manual systems use less water than people with automatic systems.
Semi-Automatic systems, which work similar to a kitchen timer, require you to turn the water on manually but the system turns itself off at the end of the time (or number of gallons) you set.
Automatic systems are the most common type. They use an electronic controller to do all the work for you. Traditional automatic systems never forget to water . . . even if it’s raining. Because we can ignore automatic systems, studies show that people with these systems use more water than people with manual systems.
Smart systems, also known by the acronym SWAT (Smart Water Application Technologies) are now affordable for residential use. Smart systems add sensors and/or telemetry to the controller to adjust automatically for the day-to-day weather changes in your garden. Studies show that Smart controllers save a lot of water.
Smart Irrigation Controllers Fact Sheet 
For more information on SWAT and a look at some tested systems, visit www.irrigation.org.
Other companies that offer Smart Water Application Technologies can be visited on the web:
Aqua Conserve: Intelligent Controllers
WeatherSet
HydroPoint: WeatherTrak Smart Water Management
ETWater
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Last updated: Tuesday, 11/15/2011
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New Landscape Rebates
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Looking for extra motivation to make your landscape water-wise? The City of Santa Monica is now offering Cash Reimbursements for recommended irrigation products, removal of thirsty lawns, or a complete landscape overhaul. These offers are first come, first served--find out all the details here: Rebates
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A Website for Sore Eyes
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Take a gander at some gorgeous gardens, point and click on the plants you like and - voila! - you tap into a wealth of information on that particular plant species. Click again and you automatically compile a printable list of plants that can easily be handed-off to a landscaper or an attendant at your favorite nursery.
This tool will go a long way in helping you overcome some of the most significant hurdles in getting your sustainable landscape project started.
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