Landscape guides you can watch.
Short video walkthroughs of the landscape maintenance jobs every 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?
How to fix a broken sprinkler head
Most broken pop-up heads are a 10-minute DIY repair if you know what to pick and how to match the pattern.
How to plant a drought-tolerant bed
A simple front-yard drought-tolerant bed is a weekend project if you know what to plant and how to prep the soil.
How to set the right mowing height
The difference between a lawn that looks sharp and one that always looks stressed is usually half an inch of mowing height.
How to mulch garden beds the right way
Proper mulching cuts bed water use 20-30% and blocks most weed germination. Doing it wrong invites rot and pests.
When should you stop and call a professional?
Six signs that the problem is past DIY. Turn the system off and pick up the phone — running a system with these issues turns cheap repairs into expensive replacements.
- A wet spot that never dries, even in summer
Lateral line leak underground — running 24/7 at full pressure. Wastes 50+ gallons per hour. The longer it runs, the bigger the bill.
- Sprinkler zones that sometimes come on by themselves
Failed valve diaphragm or stuck solenoid. Water flowing past the valve even when the zone is not running. Typical fix is a $180-$320 valve replacement.
- Yellow-green lawn that won't respond to water or fertilizer
Usually iron deficiency from alkaline soil — SD inland soils lock up iron. Over-fertilizing nitrogen without correcting pH or adding chelated iron does nothing.
- Retaining wall leaning or cracking
Failed drainage behind the wall, or inadequate base prep. Walls don't fix themselves — they get worse. Early repair is repointing; late repair is full rebuild.
- Ficus hedge going brown inside at the base
Ficus was sheared instead of selectively thinned. Sun can't reach interior leaves, so they drop. Often irreversible on old sheared sides; reduction pruning slows progression.
- Fire-risk property you haven't cleared this year
CAL FIRE defensible space is not optional in Zone 1/2. Fire insurance often requires documentation. This is safety work, not cosmetic work.
What landscape and water-saving rebates and resources are available?
MWD SoCalWater$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-Smart Landscape
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? Call a real technician.
If the guide didn't solve it, we probably can. Flat-rate diagnostic, same-day service across San Diego County.