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Santa Barbara Real Estate Blog

Extreme Lawn Care in Santa Barbara

August 28, 2025

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Santa Barbara’s Climate Creates the Perfect Canvas for Curb Appeal

If you’re passionate about achieving a picture-perfect lawn in Santa Barbara, where our Mediterranean climate meets upscale coastal living, this guide, created by luxury realtor Cristal Clarke, is built for you. Here’s how to pursue “extreme lawn care” throughout summer, while respecting local water awareness and environmental realities.

A birds eye view of a neighborhood with lots of green grass and trees.

Whether You’re Selling or Staying, Make a First Impression

In Santa Barbara, a lush, well-maintained lawn does more than elevate curb appeal; it enhances daily enjoyment of your home and strengthens long-term property value. Whether you’re preparing to enter the Santa Barbara luxury real estate market, highlighting your Montecito home for sale, or simply want to take pride in your space, here are 10 ways to create a standout lawn.

The backyard of a luxury home with a green lawn and pool.

1. Clear Debris Without Delay

Regularly remove leaves, twigs, and yard waste to allow sunlight and air to reach grass, ensuring healthy new growth.

2. Level Your Lawn With Quality Topsoil

Fill low spots with nutrient-rich topsoil to create an even surface—ideal for seeding or patching thin areas.

3. Smart Summer Weed Management

Target weeds precisely using spot‑spray application during cooler evenings. Avoid reseeding until at least a month after treatment to protect the new sprouts.

4. Deep, Strategic Watering

In Santa Barbara, local water conditions have improved in recent years, but conservation remains the norm and some restrictions still apply. Homeowners are urged to use deep watering just twice a week. This is ideal for building strong turf while adhering to city regulations on runoff and scheduling.

A red lawnmower inbetween tall trees on green grass.
Image by Alexa from Pixabay

5. Mow for Strength and Structure

Cut grass routinely, but not too short. Topping more than one‑third of the blade at a time can weaken turf, so follow best practices for height and frequency to encourage resilience.

6. Time Reseeding for Optimal Conditions

Late summer, from August to September, is ideal, when temperatures ease and soil still retains summer warmth. This combination is perfect for seed germination without summer heat stress.

7. Choose Slow-Release or Organic Fertilizers

Slow-release and organic fertilizers feed your grass gradually, fostering root development and limiting nutrient runoff. This is especially important in California’s eco‑conscious environment.

8. Cover Seeded Areas for Protection

Apply a thin layer of topsoil over new seed to secure it from wind or birds, while helping retain moisture. This is especially important given our region’s current low precipitation.

9. Keep Seeds Moist in the Early Days

Daily watering for 10–14 days ensures seedlings stay damp until they establish. Still, always stay alert to local restrictions on irrigation and runoff.

10. Flaunt Your Lawn (Responsibly)

When your turf is healthy and lush, proudly maintained, you’ll earn neighborhood admiration. Just be mindful to balance beauty with sustainability.

If you’re handling your own landscape, these steps are your blueprint. Otherwise, find top-rated professionals through platforms like Thumbtack that connect homeowners with trusted landscapers. You can also ask neighbors or even your trusted realtor (like top Montecito and Santa Barbara agent, Cristal Clarke). These are easy, localized starting points.

Water dripping into water.
Image by Claudia from Pixabay

2025 Drought in Santa Barbara — What You Need to Know

Is drought still a concern here? Yes, but with improvement. While California overall continues to face dry conditions, Santa Barbara’s recent above-average rainfall in 2023 and 2024 has eased its local water stress. As of now, the city is not under drought, and water supplies are expected to meet needs for the next several years.

However, broader regional patterns tell a cautious story. Southern California has recorded rainfall down nearly 60% from normal in water year figures, increasing wildfire risk. The recent devastating disasters in our state illustrate how dry vegetation, combined with heat, can fuel wildfires.

Statewide, nearly 38% of California remains in drought and 35% is abnormally dry as of August 2025. As you can see in Plantmaps, while municipal conditions in Santa Barbara are stable, regional climate trends still demand vigilance, especially during fire season.

The backyard of a luxury home with lush landscaping and a serene pool.

Why This Matters for Your Lawn in Santa Barbara

Water awareness is part of local culture. Even though emergency restrictions have lifted, regulations remain around runoff and scheduling to preserve our shared resource. Dry, hot spells can stress your lawn—and raise fire risk. Emphasize deep watering, moisture-retentive practices, and fuel reduction in landscaping to stay sustainable and safe.

A well-maintained lawn can still shine sustainably. Smart nutrient use, variegated grass species adapted to drought, and precise irrigation preserve vibrancy without waste.

Key Takeaway for Santa Barbara

Drought Status

Locally improved, but regional dryness demands care

Lawn Strategy

Deep watering, strategic mowing, seed protection, smart fertilizing

Restrictions

Avoid runoff, heed irrigation guidelines year-round

Wildfire Risk

Stay alert—dry surroundings make even green lawns vulnerable to ignition

Extreme lawncare comes naturally in Santa Barbara because we have the perfect, year-round Mediterranean weather for a beautiful, healthy lawn. Suppose you're searching for a home in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, or maybe Ojai with standout landscaping. In that case, I can help guide you to properties and professionals who honor both beauty and sustainability. Let me know if you'd like to explore your options further!


If you’re ready to showcase a stunning lawn at your dream property in Montecito, Hope Ranch, or any of Santa Barbara’s upscale communities, give Cristal Clarke a call at (805) 886-9378 or email her at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. She’ll help you find the perfect home where exceptional curb appeal and luxury living go hand in hand.


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Client Reviews

“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch