How to use your backyard during rainy season
Winter weather brings colder temperatures and cloudy skies, but that does not mean you have to stay inside! Here are ways to turn your Yardtopia™ into a fun winter wonderland this season, perfectly tailored for Orange County’s mild climate where even “rainy season” offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor enjoyment.
Idea 1: Create weather resistant outdoor entertainment zones
Transform your patio or deck into an all-weather entertainment hub that functions beautifully during Orange County’s winter months. Since our rainy season typically brings only 35 precipitation days per year, you can enjoy your outdoor space most of the time — even during winter!
Key elements:
— Pergola with retractable canopy: Install a sturdy pergola with weather-resistant fabric panels that can be extended during light drizzle but retracted on those abundant sunny winter days. (Orange County still enjoys 278 sunny days annually!)
— Outdoor heaters: Add stylish propane fire pits or wall-mounted infrared heaters to keep guests comfortable during cooler winter evenings.
— Weather-resistant furniture: Invest in aluminum or teak outdoor dining sets with quick-dry cushions that can handle occasional moisture.
— Outdoor entertainment system: Install a weatherproof TV and sound system under your covered area for cozy movie nights during drizzly February evenings.
Idea 2: Design a winter garden oasis with native California plants
Orange County’s rainy season is actually the perfect time to showcase California native plants that thrive in winter moisture and provide year-round interest. Create a stunning garden that looks its best during the cooler months.
Featured plants for winter interest:
— California poppies: Drought-tolerant beauties that actually germinate with winter rains and provide bright orange blooms by late winter
— Manzanita: Gorgeous red bark and delicate pink flowers that bloom during the rainy season
— Ceanothus (California lilac): Spectacular blue flower clusters that appear in late winter/early spring
— Native bunch grasses: Like purple needlegrass, which stays green and lush during winter rains
— Toyon (California holly): Red berries provide striking winter color
Idea 3: Install strategic covered outdoor kitchen and bar areas
Take advantage of Orange County’s winter temperatures by creating covered cooking and dining spaces that function beautifully during the rainy season. Since you’ll have many pleasant 60-70°F days, outdoor dining remains enjoyable with the right setup.
Key features:
— Covered grilling station: Install a permanent roof structure over your BBQ area—aluminum or steel with polycarbonate roofing provides protection while maintaining natural light.
— Outdoor bar with overhang: Create a stylish bar area with bar stools under an extended roof line for casual dining and entertaining.
— Prep counter with storage: Include weatherproof cabinets and drawers for outdoor dinnerware, utensils, and entertaining essentials.
— Mini fridge and wine storage: Add a compact outdoor refrigerator and wine cooler for ultimate convenience.
Idea 4: Create a winter wellness area
Transform your Yardtopia into a seasonal wellness sanctuary that takes advantage of Orange County’s cooler temperatures and crystal-clear winter skies. Winter’s longer nights and comfortable temperatures create perfect conditions for outdoor relaxation activities.
Wellness activities perfect for cool weather:
— Outdoor yoga and meditation: Set up a dedicated space with weather-resistant mats and props for sunrise or sunset practice when temperatures are most comfortable.
— Evening journaling corner: Create a peaceful spot with comfortable seating and ambient lighting for reflection and planning during the contemplative winter season.
— Outdoor reading nook: Install comfortable, weather-resistant seating with good lighting for enjoying books during mild winter afternoons.
Orange County’s “rainy season” is a gift that brings cooler temperatures for outdoor activities, occasional refreshing rain for your garden, and endless opportunities to enjoy your outdoor spaces year-round. By incorporating weather-resistant features, embracing native plants that thrive in winter, and creating flexible outdoor living spaces, you can transform your backyard into a year-round Yardtopia that works beautifully in every season.
Enter the 2026 Water Awareness Poster Contest
Young Picassos, Kahlos and Van Goghs, get ready! IRWD’s annual Water Awareness Poster Contest is back, and this year’s theme —“Water Connects Us All” — invites young creatives in our service area to highlight the many ways water brings people, communities and nature together.
Grab your favorite art supplies and illustrate what this theme means to you. Entries, open to students in grades K–12, will be judged in age categories on originality, artistic skill, and adherence to theme and contest rules.
IRWD finalists will earn special recognition and advance to county and regional competitions, where top winners have a chance to win an iPad from the Municipal Water District of Orange County and could be featured in Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s annual water awareness calendar.
Contest entries are due by Feb. 26. Visit IRWD.com/postercontest for contest guidelines.
See the 2026 Water Awareness Poster Contest flyer (a Spanish-language version is also available).
Join the next Water Quality Workshop on Jan. 22
Whether you're filling a pitcher, washing produce or running your local lemonade stand, good tap water makes for a great neighborhood.
IRWD customers with questions about their drinking water are invited to learn more and ask IRWD’s experts at our upcoming Jan. 22 Water Quality Workshop.
The evening will include:
— A tour of our state-of-the-art water quality laboratory
— Presentations on treatment, testing, and state and federal standards
— Q&A with experts
— Tasty beverages made with the same water we deliver directly to your home
This workshop is free for IRWD customers, but registration is required. The event is Thursday, Jan. 22, 6:15 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at IRWD Operations Center in Irvine. Participants, including guests, must be at least 16 years old. Service address verficiation may be required.
Guests attending this workshop should plan to check in at 6:15 p.m. Presentations will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Directions and more information will be sent to registered guests.
Sign up before spots fill at IRWD.com/events.
Water efficiency challenge for the new year
Happy New Year, IRWD customers! This year, we encourage you to embrace responsible, sustainable water use.
Not sure where to start? Practice makes perfect.
Our Water Efficiency team offers these easy tips to include in your regular routine for optimum water savings.
Tips for 2026:
— Look at your water bill every month. A high bill might mean you have a leak you can fix.
— Replace your lawn with climateappropriate plants and adjust watering to the season for significant savings.
— Report broken sprinklers in the community at IRWD.com/ logaleak. We’ll notify the right person to get it repaired.
— Your water meter doesn’t lie. Check the flow dial for hidden leaks and drop dye tabs in the toilet tank to reveal leaks.
View IRWD.com/savewater for more tips and information.
Curb your rainwater, filter water runoff
Southern California’s rare storms — one of which is expected this holiday week — can wash pollutants into local streams.
A simple rain garden planted with native vegetation captures runoff from roofs and driveways, filters contaminants and recharges the soil in your yard — allowing about 30% more water to soak into the ground compared to lawns. Connecting gutters to a rain garden can channel up to 900 gallons from a single storm.
Native plants like Iris douglasii, Juncus patens, Achillea millefolium, and Leymus triticoides thrive in wet dry cycles, reduce flooding risks, recharge aquifers, and provide habitat for birds and butterflies.
With these sustainable options, your yard will become a natural filter that safeguards nearby streams, creeks and storm drains.
Visit IRWD.com/landscape for helpful resources to get started.
