A recent landscaping workshop at Oak Park Community Center included nursery and landscape exhibits and a presentation by Owen Dell, a landscape architect and author of "Sustainable Landscaping for Dummies."

"You can make a better world just by working in your garden," Dell said. "This is a revolution that starts in your own backyard."

Though there's nothing wrong with wanting a yard to be beautiful, Dell said, it's important for homeowners to make their landscaping work for them. Rather than creating gardens that must be tended, homeowners should build natural, selfregulating ecosystems. Professional gardeners shouldn't be needed, he said.

"You're paying for things you don't need done. If you had a car that required as much care as your yard you'd get rid of it," Dell said at the workshop sponsored by Triunfo Sanitation District.

Americans use 800 million gallons of gasoline each year mowing lawns and 67 million pounds of pesticide, more than is used on agricultural crops, Dell said.

People should consider their property's natural ecosystem, including climate, soil, sun and condition of the land. Nature works in cycles and loops, Dell said.

"If we play by the rules then everything gets easier, cheaper and works better," Dell said. "Nobody gardens nature. It has a life of its own. So why are we gardening gardens? We should be able to back off."

Homeowners should spend time in their yards to get an idea of the views, noise pollution, and sun and wind direction. Trees can be planted for shade, fruit, wind protection or privacy; seasonal flowers for color year-round.

"Create an outdoor room that really works for you," Dell said. "Try to make it as enjoyable as possible." He suggested adding a hammock, side yard or bench.

Minimize use of pesticides and herbicides. Instead, cover plant roots with cardboard or paper bags, then mulch.

"It's totally organic, makes use of waste products, benefits the soil and kills weeds better than herbicide," Dell said.

Pick pest-resistant plants that fit the space, soil and light conditions of the property.

"Choose something that's long-lived so you won't have to replace it," Dell said. "Make sure the plants are healthy, not invasive or pest- or disease-prone, and are not thirsty, fragile or flammable."

Onethird of household water is used for landscaping, about 7 billion gallons per day in the United States, according to Dell. To cut down on water use, redirect gutters to drop rainwater on plants or catch rain in barrels to use for the garden. Grade landscaping so that water sinks into the ground. Handwatering, drip hoses or special sprinkler controls can make a difference, he said.

"Only 0.3 percent of the water on the planet is potable," Dell said. "There's a lot of water on the planet, but hardly any of it is for our use."

Many gardens are overwatered. To figure out how much water is actually needed, turn off sprinklers and watch plants for signs of stress.

"See how long it takes. Your garden could go days, weeks without water," Dell said. "None will die overnight."

Get rid of lawns or reduce their size and replace with mulch or meadows of sedges, perennials and grasses rather than turf grass.

Adding compost will improve soil, create healthier plants and use less water. Trying to improve soil with storebought amendments is unnatural and hurts the well-being of plants as well as the environment, Dell said.

"Tons of fossil fuels are used to manufacturer, transport, maintain and dispose of fertilizer and pesticides," Dell said.

Vinegar and mulch are alternative, natural solutions. Kneehigh plants can also help smother weeds, Dell said.

For more information, visit www.owendell.com.

Tips on reducing water use can be found at the website www.sbwater.org.