Commercial Landscaping and Irrigation Terms

Reviewed October 2026 · 32 terms

Commercial landscaping, irrigation and hydroseeding terms, including the water-efficiency (MWELO) terms on California landscape plans.

Prices for this work: hydroseeding and irrigation · land clearing · excavation and grading · all 2026 prices

Related services: Site preparation

• Commercial landscaping
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Commercial landscaping

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Bioretention basin

A shallow planted basin with engineered soil and an underdrain that captures and treats runoff on site.

Bioswale

A planted channel that slows and filters stormwater runoff from paving and roofs before it reaches a storm drain.

Decomposed granite (DG)

Finely crushed granite used for paths and low-water ground cover, often mixed with a stabilizer and compacted.

Drip zone

An irrigation zone that waters through emitters or drip line at the plant roots, used for shrubs, trees and slopes.

Erosion control blanket

A biodegradable mat of straw or coconut fiber pinned over bare slopes to hold the soil until plants take root.

Hardscape

The non-living parts of a landscape, such as paving, walls, walks, curbs and decomposed granite.

Header / bender board

Edging of wood, plastic or steel that separates lawn, planting beds, rock and paving.

Irrigation mainline

The pipe that carries water from the backflow preventer to the irrigation valves. It stays under pressure at all times.

Landscape demolition

Removing existing plants, turf, irrigation, hardscape and edging before grading or a new landscape. Site preparation service

Landscape documentation package

The plans and calculations submitted under MWELO, including the water budget worksheet, soil report, landscape and irrigation design plans, and grading design plan.

Lateral line

The pipe that runs from a valve to the sprinklers or drip emitters it controls. It carries water only when its valve is open.

LID (Low Impact Development)

Site design that handles stormwater where it falls, using bioswales, basins and permeable paving. Stormwater permits require it on most new and redevelopment projects; in Orange County it is documented in a Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP).

Mulch and bark

Shredded wood or bark spread over planting areas to hold moisture and suppress weeds. MWELO requires at least 3 inches of mulch on exposed soil in planting areas.

MWELO (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance)

California’s landscape water-use rule. It applies to new landscapes of 500 square feet or more, and rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more, that need a permit, plan check or design review.

Plant establishment (maintenance) period

The time after planting, often 90 days on public projects, when the installer waters, maintains and replaces failed plants before the owner accepts the work.

Root barrier

A rigid panel installed beside a tree to steer roots down and away from sidewalks, curbs and foundations.

Rotor

A sprinkler with a rotating stream that covers larger areas, such as parks and commercial lawns, at a lower rate than spray heads.

Sleeving (pipe sleeves under hardscape)

Pipe laid under walks, driveways and other paving before they are poured, so irrigation and wiring can pass under them later without cutting.

Softscape

The living parts of a landscape: plants, trees, turf and soil.

Soil amendment

Compost or other material mixed into planting soil to improve drainage, nutrients and water holding. MWELO requires compost at a set rate unless a soil test shows it isn’t needed.

Spray head

A sprinkler that pops up and sprays a fixed fan of water, used for small lawns and planting areas.

Synthetic turf removal

Removing artificial grass, its infill and the base underneath. Turf rolls and infill are hauled separately where recyclers accept them.

Tree well

An opening in paving, or a ring around a trunk, that leaves soil exposed so a tree gets water and air.

Turf removal

Removing lawn grass and its roots, often with a sod cutter, so the area can be replanted with water-efficient plants or hardscape. Our site preparation work

Valve manifold

A group of irrigation valves connected together in one box, each controlling a separate watering zone.

Weather-based (smart) controller

An irrigation timer that adjusts watering to local weather or soil moisture. MWELO requires weather- or soil-moisture-based controllers on covered projects.

Weed barrier fabric

Woven or nonwoven landscape fabric placed under rock or mulch to block weeds while letting water through.

Hydroseeding and irrigation

Backflow preventer

A valve assembly that keeps irrigation water from flowing back into the drinking-water supply. Water suppliers require one on irrigation connections.

Bonded fiber matrix

A hydroseed mix with a stronger binder that holds seed and mulch in place on steep slopes until the plants take root.

Drip emitter

A small fitting that waters a plant at its roots, rated by the gallons it delivers each hour.

Hydroseeding

Spraying a mix of seed, fiber mulch, tackifier and fertilizer onto prepared soil to grow grass or control erosion. Site preparation service

Tackifier

The binder in a hydroseed mix that holds seed and mulch to the soil until the plants take root.

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