Inspired Neighbors to Conserve
When Rich and Maureen moved into their new home in Folsom, the first thing they realized was the front yard had to change. It was filled with patchy grass, weeds and an irrigation system that didn’t work.
They were never a huge fan of lawns and wanted something low maintenance, beautiful and filled with character. They decided that the best thing to do would be to design and plant a low-water use landscape. And, ultimately, the project became more than just a beautiful new front yard. It brought their neighborhood together and became a way to heal and honor the life of their daughter and son.
Rich and Maureen began by doing research into native and low water plants, and the most efficient irrigation systems available.
“We were surprised by how many plants there were to choose from,” Maureen said, “and we picked plants that would flower throughout the year so there would always be new colors to catch the eye.”
They choose a variety of Lavender and California Wild Lilac to add splashes of blue and purple, Grevillea for its stunning stabs of red and yellow, tall grasses and a various species of bamboo to add height and to sway gently in the breeze, and herbs like yarrow and rosemary. They installed a drip irrigation system to water all of the new plantings and deliver just the right amount of water without any waste.
Rich and Maureen applied for rebates offered by Sacramento County and the City of Folsom and received enough money back that the project paid for itself.
As they worked on their yard, their neighbors came over to chat and watch. The yard work helped them to make new friends and also inspired some of their neighbors to rethink their own yards and create low-water landscapes.
Midway through the yard conversion, their daughter Meghan suffered a pulmonary embolism, causing a massive stroke, and passed away shortly thereafter.
“Having this project to keep us busy during this time helped us to channel our grief into something beautiful,” Rich said. “We decided to dedicate our garden to our son and daughter and put up a small memorial to them, since they passed away on the same day 15 years apart.”
The couple placed a memorial plaque surrounded by plants and added two heart-shaped stones, one in honor of Meghan and the other for their son Sven. They also planted two Japanese Maples, one for each of their children, and chose the trees based on color and leaf form that they felt best represented their different personalities.
