Landscape guides you can use.
Practical walkthroughs of landscape maintenance jobs a San Diego homeowner should know. Each guide comes with step-by-step instructions and a clear line on when to call a pro.
What landscape maintenance can you do yourself?
5 min read How to fix a broken sprinkler head
An accessible broken pop-up head can be a DIY repair. Identify the damaged part and match its connection, height, pressure requirements, and spray coverage.
6 min read How to plant a drought-tolerant bed
Plan a drought-tolerant bed around the sun, soil drainage, and mature size of the plants. Site preparation and establishment watering matter as much as the plant list.
3 min read How to set the right mowing height
Set mowing height for your grass species and cultivar. Cutting too low or removing too much growth at once can thin the lawn and slow recovery.
4 min read How to mulch garden beds the right way
Mulch can conserve soil moisture and suppress annual weeds. Choose the material and depth for your bed, and keep it away from plant crowns and trunks.
Scope a job before you call.
Lawn replacement planning tool
Area, plant-count, mulch volume, and irrigation-budget arithmetic for a turf conversion. No invented prices or rebate approval.
Paver quantity calculator
Piece and pack counts from footprint, manufacturer coverage, and your waste allowance. No material prices or base-depth certification.
Hire vs DIY worksheet
Compare the same scope, then check when California licensed-contractor rules apply.
Maintenance service models
Compare written scope, not company size: mowing-only, full maintenance, on-demand, seasonal, or DIY.
When should you stop and call a professional?
These symptoms need a diagnosis before choosing a repair. For uncontrolled irrigation leaks, turn off the affected supply if you can do so safely.
- A wet spot that never dries, even in summer
Persistent wet ground may come from an irrigation leak, drainage, or another water source. Turn irrigation off and note whether the wet area continues before arranging diagnosis.
- Sprinkler zones that sometimes come on by themselves
Check controller programs and extra start times first. If water flows with the controller off, a valve or wiring problem may need inspection.
- Yellow-green lawn that won't respond to water or fertilizer
Poor irrigation coverage, root problems, nutrient availability, and disease can produce similar symptoms. Identify the cause before adding more water or fertilizer.
- Retaining wall leaning or cracking
Movement can involve drainage, soil pressure, foundations, or structural damage. Keep people clear of an unstable wall and have a qualified professional assess it.
- Ficus hedge going brown inside at the base
Shading, watering problems, pests, and root stress can all affect foliage. Inspect the plant and growing conditions before deciding how to prune.
- Fire-risk property you haven't cleared this year
Ask your local fire authority which defensible-space requirements apply to your address and arrange suitable vegetation maintenance. Check separately for insurer requirements.
What landscape and water-saving rebates and resources are available?
MWD SoCalWater$mart rebate portal
Apply for Metropolitan Water District turf-replacement, smart controller, and fixture rebates.
San Diego County Water AuthoritySan Diego County Water Authority, water conservation
Local plant guides, water-wise landscape tips, and regional rebate stacking.
CAL FIRECAL FIRE defensible space requirements
Official zone definitions and clearance requirements for fire-risk California properties.
UC Cooperative ExtensionUC Master Gardeners of San Diego County
Regional plant guides, disease identification, and free gardening help line.
Still stuck? Get matched with a licensed pro.
If the guide didn't solve it, we probably can. Priced by the job, across San Diego County.