Outdoor water use in Klamath County has been restricted for several years, raising concerns about the viability of traditional lawns and the inefficiency of older irrigation systems. Local homeowners noted that irrigation companies often install outdated equipment — and that no local providers specialize in drip irrigation. Many residents wanted to convert to drip systems but couldn’t find professional help — and didn’t feel confident installing them on their own.
OSU Extension is helping local residents make informed choices about sustainable landscape practices — saving water, reducing barriers and responding directly to community needs.
At the same time, more gardeners expressed interest in alternative lawn options that use less water. But few resources exist that address Klamath’s specific climate, soil conditions and growing season.
In response, Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardeners launched a two-part initiative: testing water-efficient lawn alternatives and offering practical education on drip irrigation.
The alternative lawns team developed a list of candidate species and created participation criteria for a pilot trial. A small group of gardeners began testing these alternatives to evaluate their performance. Because frequent watering is critical during germination, the team promoted drip irrigation as a more sustainable way to support lawn establishment — without relying on labor-intensive hand watering.
To make drip systems more approachable, Extension secured funding to create a hands-on teaching kit using labeled parts from a local home improvement store. Staff also developed a slide deck, practice design exercises, and collected educational materials from a national irrigation manufacturer. A panel of local experts was recruited to answer technical questions.
Extension offered two small-group classes in September 2023: Intro to DIY Drip Irrigation. Class size was capped at 20 participants to support hands-on learning and discussion. Both sessions filled quickly and had waitlists — making them the most popular Master Gardener classes in Klamath County that year.
Participants used the teaching kit to explore components and practice assembling basic systems. They left with new confidence, design ideas and practical steps they could implement at home.
Based on the strong demand and positive feedback, additional classes are scheduled for spring 2024. The alternative lawn pilot will also expand to include a larger group of participants next season.
Through this effort, OSU Extension is helping local residents make informed choices about sustainable landscape practices — saving water, reducing barriers and responding directly to community needs.
