Curbed surveyed landscape architects specializing in drought-resistant lawns for their best "tips and tricks."

Residents of the United States raise 40 million acres of turf grass crops every year, more than any other crop. Some, in areas where water is expensive or scarce, are looking to modify their lawns and gardens by planting less water-intensive plants.
Like any project where one diverges from the standard way of doing things, the process can seem intimidating. In an article for Curbed, Kate Losse spoke with landscape architects in drought-plagued Southern California to get their insights into handling this issue. Among other suggestions, they advised that anyone intending to change their outdoor space budget time for research into both their specific lawn and the plants that might flourish there. Losse was also told that no garden is a set it and forget it proposition. "Experts caution that just because a garden is drought-tolerant, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need attention, and that paying attention to your garden and its needs is a crucial element to its growth," the Curbed piece reports.
There have certainly been misadventures in reducing water use in gardens, but the Curbed piece aims to show how the project can be managed to fit the climate and the ambition of the gardener.
FULL STORY: Drought-tolerant gardens: Expert tips and tricks

The Right to Mobility
As we consider how to decarbonize transportation, preserving mobility, especially for lower- and middle-income people, must be a priority.

Early Sharrow Booster: ‘I Was Wrong’
The lane marking was meant to raise awareness and instill shared respect among drivers and cyclists. But their inefficiency has led supporters to denounce sharrows, pushing instead for more robust bike infrastructure that truly protects riders.

Push and Pull: The Link Between Walkability and Affordability
The increased demand for walkable urban spaces could make them more and more exclusionary if cities don’t pursue policies to limit displacement and boost affordability.

U.S. Transit Agencies Face a Financial Crisis
Transit providers around the country are scrambling to find new sources of revenue to replace lagging ridership and reorienting their systems to a future less dependent on daily commuters.

California Rejects Six-State Colorado River Plan, Proposes Its Own
State officials claim a proposal agreed upon by the other six states using Colorado River water disproportionately impacts California farmers.

Washington Focuses Road Safety Efforts on Individuals, Neglecting Design
Legislative efforts to reduce traffic deaths could move the needle toward Vision Zero, but state leaders failed to commit infrastructure funds to making structural improvements.
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