Merced workshop to focus on lawns, drought

Merced city officials are planning a free workshop Saturday to discuss ways to keep lawns healthy during the drought, among other topics.

The Make Every Drop Count workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon at the Applegate Park building near the zoo, 1045 W. 25th St.

The city is teaming with the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardeners Program and the East Merced Resource Conservation District for the educational effort.

Leah Brown, the city’s water conservation specialist, said residents who go to the workshop can learn how to keep a lawn green while conserving water, convert grass to another type of landscape, pick out drought tolerant plants and a number of other water-saving methods.

“We want to really highlight the state rebate program,” Brown said.

The state’s “turf and toilet” rebate program was announced this month by the California Department of Water Resources.

The program provides a $100 consumer rebate to replace one old toilet per household and up to $2 per square foot for lawns. It is financed by a portion of the $24 million in the Proposition 1 water bond, which was approved by voters in 2014, according to the department.

During the workshop in Merced, local professionals, nurseries and contractors are expected to be on hand to share their expertise and answer questions. An expert is also expected to speak on the city’s HERO program, which can offer funds to be used to convert landscape, install solar panels or make other efficiency changes to a home.

Those planning to attend the workshop in Merced should bring a lawn chair or blanket for sitting during the educational effort, city staff said.

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Merced workshop to focus on lawns, drought."