Landscape Workshops

Design Your Sustainable Garden

Build a sustainable garden with native California plants and learn best practices for water use efficiency with informative workshops presented by Metropolitan Water District. The workshops are available in person and online to help customers make landscape changes that provide savings and identify water overuse. Water conservation efforts have changed with the seasonal rain, but efficient water use is always the path to prepare for future periods of limited water supply.

Zoom registration is required for all classes. You will recieve the zoom link in your email confirmation after registering for each class. Explore below for free programs available to Rainbow Water customers.

Drip Irrigation: Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Date: Thurs, April 30, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Please complete the April 30 - Drip Irrigation Workshop online sign up form.
Class Venue: Virtual via Zoom

Did you know poor irrigation practices are the #1 reason plants fail? Learn how to keep your landscape thriving by making your drip irrigation system more efficient and reliable.

Participants will gain practical knowledge on:

Understanding Soil Moisture Balance – Learn how soil type and plant needs affect watering schedules and system performance.
Identifying Key Drip System Components – Get familiar with filters, emitters, pressure regulators, tubing, and valves essential to a well-functioning system.
Reviewing Common Problems & How to Avoid Them – Spot the warning signs of leaks, clogs, pressure issues, and uneven watering—and know how to fix them.
Developing a Successful Maintenance Routine – Create a seasonal checklist to keep your system running smoothly and plants properly hydrated all year long.

Whether you're converting a traditional sprinkler system or maintaining an existing drip setup, this course will help you troubleshoot issues, extend system life, and protect your landscape investment.

CA Friendly® & Native Plant Landscape Training

Date: Thus, May 7, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District and City of Escondido
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Please complete the CA Friendly workshop training sign up form online.
Class Venue: Zoom

Transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, water-efficient landscape with our California Friendly® & Native Plant Landscape Training. This engaging and practical course introduces participants to the core principles of sustainable landscaping, tailored specifically for California’s unique climate and ecology.

Participants will learn how to:

Build Healthy Living Soil – Discover the importance of soil biology and techniques to nurture nutrient-rich, water-retaining soil.
Capture Rainwater – Explore simple strategies to slow, spread, and store rainwater to reduce runoff and replenish groundwater.
Select Climate-Appropriate & Native Plants – Choose vibrant, low-maintenance plants that support local biodiversity and thrive with minimal water.
Use High-Efficiency Irrigation – Implement smart irrigation systems and best practices that reduce waste and save money.

The course includes helpful information on current rebate programs, making it easier to start your sustainable landscaping journey!

Transforming Lawns: A Sustainable Approach

Date: Mon, May 11, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Complete the online registration form for the Transforming Lawns workshop.
Class Venue: Zoom

Thinking about removing your lawn? Join us for a class on turf replacement where you'll learn how to transform your yard into a beautiful, sustainable, and water-efficient landscape. This session covers everything from soil preparation and microclimates to site planning and irrigation strategies that support long-term conservation.

The workshop will guide you through:

Selecting climate-appropriate plant palettes
Considering turf removal options and rebates
Planning a new landscape that thrives with less water
Exploring sustainable landscape techniques and functions

Garden Design Seminar

Date: Tues, May 12, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Complete the online registration form for the Garden Design Seminar.
Class Venue: Zoom

Ready to create a garden that’s both beautiful and climate-resilient? This design seminar will walk you through the process of planning a landscape that captures rainwater, conserves resources, and thrives with local conditions.

You’ll learn how to:

Understand and contour your landscape to capture and retain rainwater
Calculate and site a rain garden for maximum benefits
Create hydrozones to improve irrigation efficiency
Choose climate-appropriate plants and group them for visual impact and function
Integrate permeable hardscaping elements that support drainage and aesthetics
Apply key design principles including “right plant, right place,” plant forms, accents, and color

By the end of the class, you’ll have the tools to develop a plant palette, sketch your layout, and design a landscape that’s sustainable, low-maintenance, and uniquely yours

Roots to Rainwater

Date: Weds, May 13, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Complete the online registration form for the Roots to Rainwater workshop.
Class Venue: Zoom

Learn how to turn rain into a resource! This class explores the best management practices for capturing rainwater in the landscape using both passive and active methods. Whether you're planning a rain garden, swales, or storage tanks, we'll help you make informed, practical decision for your site.

Topics include:

Choosing the right rainwater capture mathod for your landscape
Siting and sizing rain gardens for optimal performance
Managing inflow and overflow to prevent erosion and flooding
Maintenance tips and troubleshooting common issues

Irrigation & Controller Basics: Smart Watering

Date: Thurs, May 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Complete the online registration form for the Smart Watering Workshop.
Class Venue: Zoom

Take the guesswork out of irrigation! Whether you're a beginner or looking to refresh your skills, this course offers a comprehensive introduction to irrigation systems, controller programming, and water-use efficiency. Participants will learn how to optimize water use, improve plant health, and reduce runoff by understanding the relationship between soil, water, and system performance.

Topics include:

Irrigation System Overview – Understand how each component works together to deliver water efficiently.
Soil Moisture Balance – Learn how irrigation timing and soil type affect plant health.
Typical Landscape Irrigation Problems – Identify common issues and how to correct them.
Water Conservation Tips – Explore techniques for reducing waste and saving water.
Drip Irrigation Basics – Learn how and when to convert from sprinklers to drip.
Weather-Based Controllers – Discover how smart controllers adjust watering schedules automatically.
Controller Programming Essentials – Review key terminology, programming basics, and advanced features like cycle and soak and seasonal adjustments.
Troubleshooting – Gain confidence in diagnosing and fixing typical irrigation and controller issues.

CA Friendly® & Native Plant Landscape Training

Date: Sat, May 30, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District and City of Escondido
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Please complete the workshop training sign up form online.
Class Venue: In Person - Escondido City Hall - Mitchell Room, 201 N Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025, USA

Meeting in the Mitchell Room, which is accessed via the Escondido Credit Union Parking Lot or the path along the southern edge of Grape Day Park.

Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District in partnership with the City of Escondido

Participants will learn how to:

Build Healthy Living Soil – Discover the importance of soil biology and techniques to nurture nutrient-rich, water-retaining soil.
Capture Rainwater – Explore simple strategies to slow, spread, and store rainwater to reduce runoff and replenish groundwater.
Select Climate-Appropriate & Native Plants – Choose vibrant, low-maintenance plants that support local biodiversity and thrive with minimal water.
Use High-Efficiency Irrigation – Implement smart irrigation systems and best practices that reduce waste and save money.

The course includes helpful information on current rebate programs, making it easier to start your sustainable landscaping journey!

Transforming Lawns: A Sustainable Approach

Date: Weds, June 24, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District, City of Oceanside, and Oceanside Public Library.
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Please complete City of Oceanside's Transforming Lawns Workshop sign up form.
Class Venue: Oceanside Public Library Civic Center Community Room
330 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054

The workshop will guide you through:

Selecting climate-appropriate plant palettes
Considering turf removal options and rebates
Planning a new landscape that thrives with less water
Exploring sustainable landscape techniques and functions

CA Friendly® & Native Plant Landscape Training

Date: Sat, July 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Please complete the City of Oceanside's Plant Landscape Training sign up form.

Class Venue: Oceanside Public Library Civic Center Community Room
330 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054

Participants will learn how to:

Build Healthy Living Soil – Discover the importance of soil biology and techniques to nurture nutrient-rich, water-retaining soil.
Capture Rainwater – Explore simple strategies to slow, spread, and store rainwater to reduce runoff and replenish groundwater.
Select Climate-Appropriate & Native Plants – Choose vibrant, low-maintenance plants that support local biodiversity and thrive with minimal water.
Use High-Efficiency Irrigation – Implement smart irrigation systems and best practices that reduce waste and save money.

The course includes helpful information on current rebate programs, making it easier to start your sustainable landscaping journey!

Questions

Email questions to: mwd@greenmediacreations.com

Call for support or class inquiries: (909) 252-7670

Be sure to include the date of the class in your email. Get more information about removing your lawn and creating a beautiful new landscape at www.greenmediacreations.com/mwd

Please note: All residents within Metropolitan Water District’s service area are welcome to attend this class. To confirm if your local water agency is located within MWD's boundaries, you may check here.