SAN DIEGO -- With this summer's Level Two Drought Alert, many San Diego homeonwers have been asked to use less water. For many of them, that meant sacrificing their green grass.

Experts said about half of a homeowner's water bill is spent outside, so many residents have replaced their yards with native drought-resistant plants or artificial turf. Some have even resorted to painting their dead grass green.

Now, some homeowners are trading their green grass for salad greens.

"Grass, you have to keep green. You have to water it almost every day," said Karen Contreras, owner of Urban Plantations.

Contreras has been replacing some homeowners' yards with vegetable, fruit and herb gardens. Using a modern drip watering system, the garden will use up to 60 percent less water than a traditional green grass yard. As an added bonus, the homeowner will also save money on the grocery bill.

"Everything you could need, you can come out here and get now," Contreras said as she put the finishing touches on a North Park front yard garden. "Even this little tiny front yard is going to produce more food than this family of four could eat."

Contreras said business has picked up during the drought, and it got a shot in the arm when first lady Michelle Obama installed a garden at the White House.

Contreras said, "When you sit down at dinner and all the food on your plate came from your front yard and the fruits of your labor, it's really an exciting thing."

For more information on Urban Plantations, visit www.urbanplantations.com.