The LA Arboretum is a great place to visit and explore all kinds of plants and plant communities.
Click Here to go to their website and read about these techniques —
• Swales
A swale is a low tract of land, especially one that is moist or marshy. The term can refer to a natural landscape feature or a human-created one. Artificial swales are often designed to manage water runoff and filter pollutants and more …
• Sheet Mulching
An agricultural no-dig gardening technique that attempts to mimic natural forests’ processes. When deployed properly and in combination with other permacultural principles, it can generate healthy, productive, and low maintenance ecosystems.
• Hügelkultur
A composting process employing raised beds constructed from decaying wood debris and other compostable biomass plant materials. The process helps to improve soil fertility and water retention.
• Gravel Trenches
A shallow excavated trench filled with gravel or crushed stone that is designed to infiltrate stormwater though permeable soils into the groundwater aquifer.
• Infiltration Basins
It is essentially a shallow artificial pond that is designed to infiltrate stormwater though permeable soils into the groundwater aquifer.
• Terracing
Soil erosion is controlled by shortening a long slope into a series of smaller steps.
• Permeable Hardscape
Leaving space between pavers and using permeable material underneath, such as gravelly sand or loamy sand, allows water to sink in while providing a pleasing hardscaped surface.
Classes
Photo: LA Arboretum