Ocean Friendly Gardens Criteria

From Beachapedia

An Ocean Friendly Garden (OFG) is a garden that applies CPR - Conservation, Permeability, and Retention - to revive the health of our watersheds and oceans
The OFG Yard Sign

Conserving the use of water, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides reduces the amount of pollutants and water running off a landscape and dramatically helps restore and protect our local waterways and the ocean. Removing turf grass areas as much as possible, and replacing them with native plants or other climate-adapted choices establishes habitat for many species and makes the garden "come alive." Finally, the proper selection of plants and design reduces maintenance and eliminates the need for equipment that contributes to air pollution.

Permeability within a landscape allows it to hold more of its water and nutrients. This mixture of water and nutrients is healthy in a garden but can accumulate and deplete oxygen in our streams and ocean - killing precious marine life. Permeable walkways and other permeable "hardscape" as well as "living soil" greatly improve a garden' permeability.

Retaining rainwater in your garden mimics natural processes. Retention/infiltration areas help restore a garden's natural water resource and replenish groundwater aquifers, which directly benefits the communities that rely on groundwater. These devices are important at capturing the first inch of rainfall after a dry spell - the event called "First Flush" that carries the most pollutants to our ocean. Approximately 600 gallons of water is generated per inch of rain per 1,000 sq. ft. of impermeable surface. The steps of rainwater retention are to take water otherwise running off your property and: "slow it, spread it and sink it."




Turf Areas

  1. No turf grass* OR
    2. Turf grass is maintained organically without synthetic fertilizers and never over-watered.


  1. No automatic irrigation is utilized OR
  2. Irrigation system is in good repair (no breaks or leaks) with no visible signs from stains on nearby hard surfaces or erosion on vegetated surfaces from repeated overspray or runoff. (See maintenance details below)
  4. Drip irrigation is 1/2 inch diameter tubing or larger -- utilizing either line source ("in-line") OR point source emitters ("on line").
    1. No 1/4" diameter irrigation tubing is present, except where needed for irrigating containers and raised beds. (See irrigation details below)
  5. Hoses have shut-off attachments.
  6. A weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC) or "smart" irrigation controller is installed OR
  7. Absent a WBIC, the irrigation controller has a rain shut-off installed.




  1. Plants are grouped according to plant community or hydrozones including:
  4. Plant material is 80% climate-appropriate unless it is edible or produces edible fruit. (Climate-appropriate plant material is defined as plant material with a Species Factor or Crop Co-efficient of 50% or less or is described by reliable local references as a "medium" water-using plant in the particular climate. In California, use www.water.ca.gov/wateruseefficiency/docs/ for Species Factors.)
  6. No invasive species are present. Invasive species are defined as those listed on the local Invasive Plant Council website as invasive or on the "watch list". (General information at: http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxiousDriver, and in California http://www.cal-ipc.org.)

Water Features

    1. Water is recycled by the water feature.
    2. Open water features are covered at least 50% by vegetation,
    3. All water features are maintained without chemicals or additives that are toxic to fish.
    4. Overflow from the water feature drains into a vegetated area.
  2. Swimming pools and chemically treated water bodies are drained to sewer systems.
  3. Swimming pools must be covered to minimize evaporation when not in use.


Healthy Living Soil

  1. Soil health is maintained organically without chemical additives.
  2. Soil health is maintained by the addition of compost, compost tea, and worm castings.
  3. Soil is not visible beneath a mulch layer, EXCEPT
    1. Areas 4 inches to 12 inches around the crown of woody plants should remain un-mulched, and
    2. Areas 12 inches to 60 inches around the trunks of trees should remain un-mulched.

Permeable Hardscape

  1. Walkways and patios are made permeable with
    1. Plants, mulch or decomposed granite in gaps between pavers or other hard surfaces; OR
    2. Construction materials that permit water to "flow-through" -- such as permeable concrete or asphalt.
  2. Impermeable surfaces or minimally permeable surfaces, such as permeable pavers or decomposed granite, are graded to direct excess surface flow of water into adjacent vegetated areas.
  3. Existing impermeable surfaces such as driveways or large patio areas have been altered to direct surface flow of water into adjacent vegetated areas or retention/detention devices.


Downspout Re-direct

  2. If gutters are not installed, surfaces beneath the roof eaves are EITHER
    1. Vegetated with hearty plants that can withstand the beating; OR
    2. Covered with mulch, gravel or other sturdy and permeable materials, AND

Sponge Gardens


  1. The flat areas on the property have been replaced with high and low contoured areas ("graded retention areas") to prevent rainfall from "sheeting" across the garden and off the property - helping to retain the first 1" of rainwater after a dry spell; AND/OR
  2. A dry creek bed or vegetated swale ("bioswale") captures the majority of the surface flow of downspout water and water from adjacent hard surfaces, creating sufficient area to slow, spread and sink it.
    1. Dry creek beds or vegetated swales are designed to hold at least 1" of rain from roof and adjacent hard surfaces, AND
    2. Rainfall in excess of 1" or the water-holding capacity of the garden, whichever is greater, is safely directed off-site after having been run through vegetated areas, including bioswales and creek beds, to remove pollutants and retain sediment.

Retention Devices

Retention devices are optional, especially if you have done a sponge garden:

  1. Rainbarrels or above-ground cisterns are visible and are
    1. Installed properly in accordance with any prevailing local building standards or codes,
    2. Secured for safety purposes, and
    3. Overflow into vegetated or mulched areas, AND/OR

Check out Surfrider's OFG Manual for how to get started with creating a Surfrider Chapter OFG Program.



  1. Turf grass - aka, lawn, which is durable grass that is typically intended for recreation and is regularly mowed.

Maintenance Details

  2. Irrigation shut-off valves are easily identified.
  3. Separate irrigation valves are utilized for each hydrozone (see "hydrozone" description in 4a below).
  4. Back-flow prevention and pressure regulation is visible in or at the valve assembly.

Irrigation Details

  1. Spray irrigation is matched precipitation, "multi-stream, multi-trajectory."
  2. Spray irrigation requires anti-drain check valves to prevent low head drainage.
  3. Spray irrigation heads of any kind are installed at least 24 inches from hard surfaces and buildings.