Academic Catalog

HORT 90X: WATER CONSERVATION IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 1
Hours: 12 lecture per quarter (12 total per quarter)
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Describe characteristics associated with drought tolerant plants.
  • Discuss methods of auditing water use in gardens.

Description

Applies principles of water conservation to landscape design and construction projects. Landscape designs which incorporate water-conserving principles strive to limit the need for water and strike a balance between softscape and hardscape elements.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of water conservation concepts and terminology as they apply to landscapes.
  2. Design water conserving residential landscapes.
  3. Describe characteristics associated with drought tolerant and low water plants.
  4. Describe the processes used for irrigation of drought tolerant landscapes.
  5. Discuss methods for constructing landscape elements which enhance water conserving principles.

Course Content

  1. Principles of water conservation in landscaping
    1. Water conserving trends in the landscape design industry
    2. Planning for drought conditions in the landscape
    3. Water conservation terminology
  2. Landscape design for water conservation
    1. Hardscape design issues and criteria
    2. Softscape design issues and criteria
    3. State and local code issues
  3. Plant material selection
    1. Native/indigenous plants
    2. Drought tolerant plants (flora from Mediterranean climates)
    3. Appropriate use of non-water conserving plants
  4. Irrigation systems
    1. Drip irrigation
    2. Spray irrigation
    3. Water auditing
    4. New irrigation technologies for water conservation
  5. Landscape construction issues and criteria
    1. Construction site analysis
    2. Grading and drainage
    3. Permeable paving
    4. Recycled water
    5. Landscape structures
    6. On-site water storage

Lab Content

Not applicable.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Design laboratory, construction field lab, and related horticultural facilities and equipment.
2. Students provide work boots, leather gloves, and clothing for field work.
3. When taught as virtual/hybrid, on-going access to computer with email and internet access.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Project: irrigation, planting, or landscape construction project or study relating to the principles of water conservation
Design of a residential landscape using low water plants

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Demonstrations
Discussions

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Johnson, Noelle. The Water-Smart Garden: Techniques and Strategies for Conserving, Capturing, and Efficiently Using Water in Today's Climate. 2025.

Perry, Robert C.. Landscape Plants for California Gardens. 2010.

Although the Perry text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

Reading assignments include reading approximately 20 pages per week from the assigned texts (two hours).

Discipline(s)

Ornamental Horticulture