- Main ZIP
- 90803
- Soil Type
- Silty Clay
- Clay In Topsoil
- 30%
- Sand In Topsoil
- 7%
- Elevation
- 9 to 10 ft
- Miles To The Shore
- 1.0
The Ground In Island Village
USDA maps this as Bolsa silty clay loam, about 30 percent clay and only 7 percent sand.
| Soil | Share Of Map Unit | Clay | Sand | pH | Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bolsa | 85% | 30% | 7% | 8 | Somewhat poorly drained |
What That Means For Your Yard
- Water soaks in slowly, so short cycles are the rule here.
- Roots can sit wet in this soil, so plant slightly high.
- Add compost on top and let it work down. Do not till it wet.
Plants That Tend To Fit Here
- Juncus
- Deer grass
- Yarrow
- Coffeeberry
- Monkey flower
- Western redbud
Weather And Homes
About 1.0 miles from the shore, the area gets a cool sea breeze most days without the worst of the salt. Most plants that struggle right on the sand do fine here.
Only about 29 percent of homes in these tracts are houses, and about 85 percent are owner occupied. That points to shared courtyards, parkways and building fronts, where a steady route and a clear scope often beat a big one time job.
Your Parkway And Street Trees
Your parkway follows the same city rule as the rest of Long Beach. Fake turf is out, and street trees belong to the city, so trimming one takes a Public Works permit. If you still have living lawn there, Long Beach Utilities runs a free native plant parkway kit.
Popular Work In Island Village
Questions We Hear
What kind of soil does Island Village have?
USDA maps this as Bolsa silty clay loam, about 30 percent clay and only 7 percent sand. It is also rated somewhat poorly drained. Your own yard may differ, especially if soil was brought in, so a test is cheap insurance.
Can I put artificial turf in my Island Village parkway?
No. City code limits parkways to living plants plus permeable materials such as mulch, decomposed granite or pavers on sand, and those must cover under half of the strip. Turf is allowed in the front yard itself.
What days can I water in Island Village?
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., for up to 10 minutes per station, under the Level 1 rules from Long Beach Utilities.