Discover Our Summer Strong Yard Champions!
These local residents are being celebrated on regional billboards this summer for their outstanding Summer Strong Yards.
Summer Strong yards incorporate water-wise practices and efficient irrigation, making them tough enough to thrive during the Sacramento region’s hottest days while still looking great.
Our honorees transformed their landscapes by ditching water-intensive lawns for vibrant, low-water native plants and smart drip irrigation systems. From Auburn to Elk Grove, their projects vary from DIY efforts to professionally designed masterpieces.
Click on each image to uncover their inspiring stories.
Janelle Auyeung, a master gardener in Arden Park, transformed her lawn into a sustainable oasis over 20 years. She replaced the grass with 30 fruit trees, a vegetable garden, and native plants, using compost, mulch, and a rainwater capture system for irrigation. As a scientist at the California Air Resources Board, Auyeung’s garden reflects her passion for sustainability and biodiversity, attracting pollinators and wildlife. Read the full story here.
Christina Bickley of Auburn revamped her front yard after an oak tree fell, opening the area to sunlight. As a science teacher, she chose native plants to conserve water and support pollinators, using sheet mulching and drip irrigation. Her efforts created a beautiful, wildlife-friendly yard with plants like Matilija poppies, coyote mint, and sage. Read the full story here.
Anthony Dal Ben and his family in East Sacramento turned their unused lawn into a vibrant, water-wise garden. Inspired by a State Fair display, they replaced traditional turf with sunflowers, lavender, geraniums, and more, involving the whole family in the three-year project. They installed drip irrigation and used discounted plants, creating a sustainable garden that has become a neighborhood attraction. Read the full story here.
Elaine Fitzgerald of Rosemont, a Sacramento County master gardener, replaced her lifeless lawn with a vibrant, easy-care garden to attract wildlife. Utilizing a $2,300 rebate from California American Water’s River-Friendly Landscape program, she completed the transformation for under $4,000 in 2023. Her redesigned backyard features planting beds, seating areas, and water features, significantly reducing water use. Read the full story here.
Robin Netzer transformed her South Land Park yard into a vibrant pollinator garden after losing two trees in 2012. Influenced by diverse gardens and artistic landscapes, the Sacramento artist and master gardener created a habitat for bees, butterflies, and other insects. Her redesigned garden, featuring plants like desert willow and poppies, reduces water use by up to 50%. Read the full story here.
Lance Salisbury of Arden Arcade turned his front yard into a water-wise garden nearly 10 years ago. Tired of mowing, he replaced the grass with redbud and desert willow trees, sages, and poppies, funded partly by an $850 rebate from Sacramento Suburban Water District. Inspired by his southern Nevada upbringing and UC Davis Arboretum, Salisbury’s garden now attracts wildlife like bumble bees, lizards, and turkeys. Read the full story here.
Soleil Tranquilli, a professional landscape designer in Elk Grove, transformed her lawn into a wildlife-friendly habitat. Her yard, filled with drought-tolerant native plants, serves as a model and demonstration garden with year-round blooms like Showy Milkweed and Desert Mallow. The transformation involved extensive mulching and minimal maintenance. Her favorite part of her garden? Her trees. “Right now, the shade is my favorite Summer Strong feature!” Read the full story here.
