Eliminated Chores and Saved 48,000 Gallons of Water Per Year
As a water conservation professional for a local water provider, Karen is passionate about water efficiency. After years of encouraging others to convert thirsty lawn to a River-Friendly Landscape, Karen and her husband Bob decided it was time to remove their lawn, too.
Karen and Bob turned to EcoLandscape California for help. EcoLandscape California is dedicated to educating the public and landscape professionals about creating and maintaining healthy, beautiful and vibrant landscapes that also conserve water, reduce yard waste and prevent pollution of our air and waterways. They provided Karen and Bob with design ideas and connected them with an Ecolandscaper who has had special training in sustainable landscaping practices.
Karen and Bob removed their front lawn and replaced it with low-water use plants using ecologically friendly practices. Their new front yard includes a dry riverbed that captures roof runoff and helps replenish groundwater during winter months. They selected Mediterranean perennial plants that would thrive in their soil type and provide a variety of color and textures. Plants include Gaura lindheimeri, Yarrow (Achillea), California Fushia and Lavender. They covered their garden with a three-inch layer of organic mulch to help keep plant roots cool and the soil moist, and installed a high-efficiency, low-volume drip system.
The result: Their water consumption dropped from 1,000 gallons to 40 gallons a week! Karen and Bob were so happy with the front yard makeover and so tired of mowing their back yard that they converted the back yard too to a beautiful, low-water landscape.
Now, with a fully water-wise landscape, Karen and Bob expect to save more than 48,000 gallons every year. Their beautiful yard is also a food source for bees and other important species. On top of this, they received a rebate from the California Department of Water Resources for removing their lawn. Learn how you can, too, by going to www.saveourwaterrebates.com.
