1. Establishing ground cover that will discourage weeds and undergrowth, reducing the effort needed to keep the area clear
2. Establishing strategically placed plants that make it harder for people to access the area, especially with shopping carts.

1. Use the existing Caltrans irrigation facilities, repairing them if necessary
2. Run hoses from adjacent property owners. (Owner of 163 Carrie Street has agreed to this)

• Weed and Litter Removal
• Weeds present
• Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon)
• Mallow (Malva)
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Oxalis
• Algerian Ivy (Hedera canriensis)
• Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
• Barley grass (Hordeum murinum)
• Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
• Undesirable saplings from established trees
• Weeds will be removed with weed-whipping, mowing, and hand pulling
• Debris will be carried to the street to be picked up by the city
• Digging
• Holes will be dug by hand and planted immediately
• Preparation of Planting Holes
• Organic compost as soil amendment

• Watering Basins and Staking:
• The plants will be either ground cover or bushes and will nor need staking
• Mulch
• Either a commercial or municipal source of mulch will be spread by hand from a wheelbarrow

• Watering
• As needed until plants are established either using Caltrans irrigation or using hoses from adjacent property owners.
• Mulch
• Replaced as needed by hand from a wheelbarrow
• Replacing plants
• Monthly
• Fertilizer
• Fertilizer will not be used
• Weed Control
• Monthly
• Litter Removal
• Monthly
• Removal from site
• Plant debris will be carried to the city street where it will be picked up by the city
• Litter will be placed in the recycling or trash cans of neighboring property owners with their permission

• January - February

• Weed control and litter removal prior to planting
• Initial planting, mulching, and staking

• Monthly weed control and litter removal
• Year round irrigation as required

• January - February

• Replacement of dead and diseased plants
• Reapplication of mulch

• Monthly weed control and litter removal
• Year round irrigation as required

• Tree and shrub planting adoptions must cover approximately three acres (net).
• Trees and shrubs must be planted at least 15 feet from traffic lanes on conventional highways and at least 30 feet from traffic lanes on freeways.
• Plants should be located so that pruning will not be required; they should be planted at least 10 feet from the nearest fence, wall, ditch, or drainage way.
• The height and width of the proposed species at maturity must be taken into consideration when choosing the planting location within the adoption site.

• Plants must not interfere with the function of safety features such as shoulders, barriers, guardrail, and signs.
• Plants must not interfere with the ability of the driver to see a continuous length of highway.
• Plants must avoid conflict with overhead wires, underground facilities, irrigation systems, drainage facilities, lighting, adjacent highway plantings, and existing billboards on adjacent property.

• A minimum of twenty trees and/or shrubs per acre must be planted.
• All plants must be drought-tolerant. Plants must also be tolerant of local environmental conditions such as temperature, soil, water quality, air quality, and wind. California native plants should be incorporated into the design. Caltrans can recommend species that have been successfully grown on highway roadsides in your area.
• If planted in a non-irrigated area, plants should be capable of surviving without irrigation two years after planting.
• Describe the size of the plants to be installed. One-gallon size plants, liner size plants, or acorns are encouraged in most locations.

• Weed and Litter Removal: Prior to planting, you must remove weeds and litter from the area to be planted.

• Describe of the type of weeds present.
• Describe weed removal method(s). Take into account the type and density of weeds, soil conditions, and slopes. Typically, weed removal includes one or more of the following tasks: hand-pulling, hoeing, mowing, weed-whipping, or applying herbicides.
• Describe how any resulting debris will be removed from the site.

• Digging: Describe how you plan to dig the planting holes and how large the holes will be. Holes may be excavated by hand, power auger, tractor, or backhoe. Describe safety measures to be taken around unattended holes.

A list of any Caltrans-owned underground facilities, such as irrigation and electrical installations, will be supplied by Caltrans. It is the adopter’s responsibility to contact the Underground Service Alert (USA) at 1-800-227-2600 for identification of underground lines that are not owned by Caltrans. USA must be called at least two full working days prior to breaking ground. If underground lines are found, you must call the Adopt-A-Highway representative listed on your Encroachment Permit before proceeding.

• Preparation of Planting Holes:

• Soil Amendment: List what kind, and the quantity of, any soil amendments you plan to use (i.e. compost, gypsum, etc.)
• Fertilizer: If recommended for the species being planted, list what kind, and the quantity of, fertilizer you plan to use.
• Protectors: Describe any wire-cage foliage protectors or root protectors to be used in the holes.

• Watering Basins and Staking: Describe watering basins and, if applicable, include details for plant staking. Placement of highly visible stakes is strongly recommended.
• Mulch: It is required that you surround the plants with a layer of mulch that is four- to six- inches deep. The area within a three-foot radius (six-foot diameter) of each plant must be covered, except for within a one-foot radius of the trunks of trees and shrubs. Identify the kind of mulch you will use, how it will be brought to the site, and how it will be spread. Please obtain a copy of the Guidelines for Using Mulch handout from your District Adopt-A-Highway Coordinator for acceptable mulch composition.

• Watering: Supplemental watering of plants is required. If there are no on-site irrigation facilities, then you must describe how you plan to water the plants. Truck-watering can be used, or, adjacent property owners may be willing to allow you to run hoses to your site.
• Mulch: Describe your plan for reapplying mulch to maintain a four- to six-inch depth.
• Replacing Plants: Describe your plan for replacing dead and diseased plants.
• Fertilizer: Describe your plan for reapplying fertilizer (if recommended for the species).
• Weed Control: Describe the method(s) you will use to control weed growth at your site. Weeds must be controlled within a three-foot radius (six-foot diameter) of the plants or out to the plant’s dripline, whichever is further. In addition to the required application of mulch, weed control typically includes one or more of the following tasks: hand-pulling, hoeing, mowing, weed- whipping, and/or applying herbicides.
• Litter Removal: Indicate whether or not litter removal prior to weed control is required.
• If applicable, describe how any resulting vegetation debris and/or litter will be removed from the site.

• Weed control and litter removal prior to planting
• Digging and preparation of planting holes
• Initial planting, mulching, and staking
• Year-round irrigation
• Year-round weed control

• Replacement of dead and diseased plants
• Reapplication of mulch
• Reapplication of fertilizer (if appropriate)
• Year-round irrigation
• Year-round weed control