Created a Low-Water Pollinator Paradise
Julie and David Long of Granite Bay are the grand prize winners in the #RethinkYourYard photo contest sponsored by the Regional Water Authority (RWA) and local water providers.
The contest invited Sacramento-area residents to take a selfie in their water-wise landscape and submit the photo online at facebook.com/BeWaterSmart for a chance to be featured on digital billboards throughout the Sacramento region in October 2016.
Selection committee members praised the Longs for creating a “pollinator paradise” in their landscape, filled with beautiful, low-water plants that attract beneficial insects and pollinators. Their landscape also incorporates different elevations to add interest, a nice mix of materials and a dry riverbed to capture stormwater runoff to replenish groundwater.
Julie and David took many steps on their path to rethink their yard. Last November, they began the process by first sheet-mulching their front lawn, laying compost, cardboard and mulch to smother the grass and then creating an angled dry creek bed across the yard to serve as a focal point and catch rain water. They replanted the yard with all drought tolerant plants, many of which are California natives, with a focus on creating a healthy habitat for pollinators.
Here’s what Julie said about her landscape:
Over the last few years we have become acutely aware of the need to conserve water in this Mediterranean climate in which we live. In addition to water savings, the desire to create a healthy habitat for pollinators, and also incorporate features that are “River-Friendly” into our landscape, helped shape the plan for replacing our front lawn. Most pollinators, such as bees, birds and butterflies, are attracted to flowers with long necks or flowers with flat heads, such as those in the daisy family, River- Friendly landscaping is a practice designed to conserve water, reduce yard waste and prevent pollution of our air and local rivers.
Last November we sheet-mulched our front lawn. The process included mowing the lawn as low as possible, watering it well, and layering compost, cardboard and mulch to smother the grass. The winter rains helped break down the cardboard and grass underneath, which created a rich soil base that was ready for planting. We then created an angled dry creek bed across the yard. It not only serves as a focal point, but catches the rain water which allows it to percolate back into our soil to help maintain our water table.
Our plant choices were based on hours of research and past experience. All are drought tolerant, and many are Californian Natives. Our choices included Lavender, Lantana, California Fuchsia, Coyote Mint, Blue Eyed Grass, Yarrow, Salvia, Pine Muhly, Pink Crystal Grass, Alyssum, Alum Root, Cone Flower, Cat Nip, Santa Barbara Daisy, Coreopsis, Basil and Oregano. The fountain nearby is a major attraction for dozens of birds, and provides us with constant entertainment.
After planting, we mulched heavily with a medium-fine bark, which helps prevent weed germination and also provides an insulating layer that retains moisture and saves water. Our irrigation is in-line drip, which provides slow, steady moisture to the root zone of each plant. We use no chemicals in our landscape, and only occasional slow-release organic fertilizer. We have found that maintaining a healthy soil reduces the need to fertilize. Compost harvested from our compost bin is amended into the soil, or sprinkled around plants to give them a healthy boost of nutrients.
Final thought: Find a comfortable spot in your garden to just sit and watch the constant activity of the birds, bees, butterflies and other creatures. It is the best way to appreciate the quiet wonder and rhythm of nature.
