Do you live in Santa Monica? Have you been thinking about landscaping that grungy front and back yard? Now may be the time to do it.

The City of Santa Monica has been offering homeowners a monetary rebate for landscape design that qualifies as sustainable. Not only that, but they are offering a few other rebates to help you complete your sustainable design.

Sustainable landscaping is crucial in an environment like Los Angeles. Los Angeles is thirsty for water, so why not cut back on your usage of it? One of the best ways to do this is to eliminate that grassy front or backyard, and replace it with materials and plants that can survive without the daily sprinkling of our precious water.

Sure, landscaping is expensive and time consuming, but a sustainable garden will save you money in the long haul. It will also require less maintenance, which in turn will save you time, as well as money. The best way to get started is by taking advantage of Santa Monica’s rebate program. Keep in mind that funds are limited, so apply before they run out! Check out the City of Santa Monica rebate options here:

• Sustainable Landscape Grant – Rebate amount up to $5,000 – In a nutshell, this is for businesses, homeowners, and most anyone who is a water customer within the city of Santa Monica. A maximum of $3,500 can be applied towards sustainable irrigation systems, and a maximum of $1,500 can be applied towards climate appropriate plants. You must spend a total of $10,000 to qualify for the $5,000 rebate. Also, new construction and major remodel projects DO NOT qualify for this program. There are a number of restrictions regarding this program, so make sure you are familiar with the qualifications by clicking here.

• Cash for Grass – Rebate amount up to $2,000 – In addition to the $5,000 rebate, take advantage of this program by removing your grass, capping your old irrigation system, and installing a sustainable drip irrigation system.

• Rainwater Harvesting Program – Rebate amounts vary – This is an interesting program with great intentions, but one that may not catch on quickly. Rain harvesting is a basic idea: catch rainwater via gutters and drains and store it in a rain barrel. The water that you catch can be used for irrigation, laundry, showers, and even drinking. These systems can be as simple, or complex, as you want them to be. For more information on the harvesting program, check it out here.

Like any other project, make sure that you acquire the necessary permits and approvals from the city before moving forward. I highly recommend using a landscape professional that is familiar with the City of Santa Monica’s standards. There are a number of them listed on the city’s website.

And if you’re wondering what your garden could look like, check out the photo gallery of residents who actually took advantage of this program. Now get out there and make a difference!

Do you think sustainable landscape design could benefit you, or someone you know? What are your thoughts on California native plants rather than grass? Please feel free to discuss below!