Before one of the year’s major planting seasons begins in July, one third of Southern California residents will be under “unprecedented” water restrictions due to a shortage emergency, according to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Does that mean that community gardens, residential lawns and flower patches in the region will be bare soon after the restrictions limiting outdoor water use to one day per week go into effect on June 1? Not necessarily.

While a drought can certainly pose a challenge to gardeners, there are ways to keep plants alive during times when water is scarce.

According to the University of New Hampshire, “lawns can usually survive intermittent periods of drought,” and efficient watering is the key to keeping grass alive.

Those with limited water supply should aim to water their grass only when it begins to wilt, said the university. When grass is wilted, blades will fold in half lengthwise, have a bluish-gray color and retain footprints after being stepped on.

Watering is most effective when done early in the morning, between sunrise and 8 a.m. At that time, grass can dry quickly and will be at reduced risk of growing fungus. If grass is watered at midday, water will likely evaporate before it reaches plant roots.

Even with Southern California’s one day per week limit on outdoor water use for around 6 million residents, gardeners should be able to water “deeply and infrequently,” with the University of New Hampshire said is the best watering method.

According to Popular Mechanics, watering down 1 inch into soil should help hydrate plant roots once a week. It can take anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes to apply a half inch of irrigation, depending on soil.

“Keep in mind that water should only be applied as fast as it can be absorbed by the soil,” said the University of New Hampshire.

Succulents are plants with thick fleshy tissues adapted to water storage. Common examples are cacti, agave and aloe.

An adaptation that allows small mouthlike structures on the surface of succulent plant leaves and stems called stomata to stay closed during the day and open at night, which minimizes the amount of water they lose in daytime hours. Succulents also typically only store water in their stem and some have no leaves.

“Outdoor succulents, with their water-storing fleshy leaves, are prized equally for their beauty and function, especially in drought-prone areas,” according to Lawn Love. Blue chalk sticks, golden barrel cactus, jade plant, red yucca and snake plant are just some of the succulent varieties popular for outdoor gardens, said the outlet.

For flower lovers, more traditional blooms that require little water are orchids, according to the American Orchid Society.

“Lower maintenance lawns are becoming more and more popular,” according to “This Old House” TV show host Bob Vila’s website. “Finding ways to decrease the amount of grass in the yard can reduce your reliance on watering, chemical fertilizers, and weekend mowing to keep it beautiful.”

Alternatives to grass include glass gravel, lava rock, crushed granite, pea gravel, river rock and slate chips. Some homeowners mix gravel with plants with a good chance of surviving drought conditions.

Whatever option gardeners choose, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is serious about prioritizing water conservation this season over a beautifully green lawn.

“We’re doing everything we can to alleviate the immediate crisis and make investments to avoid this from happening again. But now we need the public’s help,” Metropolitan Chairwoman Gloria D. Gray said. “We can get through this by working together.”