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| A newly installed front yard garden with gravel paths and a bocce court |
If the California drought convinced you to replace your lawn (front or
back yards) with plants that have lower water needs, you will want to take
advantage of the rebates offered through the Santa Clara Valley Water
District. The rebate periods have
been extend yet again in response to our extended drought. Applications will be accepted if
postmarked by December 31 (extended from October 31). UPDATE: REBATES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH 2015
The rebate program is an incentive to convert water guzzling
lawns or swimming pools into gardens that feature plants appropriate for our
Mediterranean climate. Under this program plants are chosen from an extensive approved
list. Rebates rates
are $2 per square foot for most cities in Santa Clara County, and a whopping $4
per square foot in Palo Alto for qualifying lawns. Even lawns that have been
let go dry may qualify.
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| Many California native plants are drought tolerant, like this Matilija poppy |
Life Without a Lawn- Don't Water, Be Happy
What does a garden look like if there is no lawn? Letting go
of the lawn aesthetic opens up many possibilities that can add to our quality
of life. Now there is room for a butterfly and hummingbird garden, perhaps with
a quiet place to sit with your morning coffee before starting a busy day. A birdbath placed in view of a window
amid greenery and flowers becomes a welcome refuge for neighborhood birds, and
you get to enjoy the show. Concerned about the decline in bees and other
pollinators? Choose from a long list of flowering perennials that provide food
for them and beauty for you. Add simple paths with stepping-stones or a rock
garden with succulents to provide interest and structure.
I find it extremely satisfying to include a kitchen herb garden in my lawn replacement projects. Several of our essential culinary herbs are approved low-water needs plants, including: rosemary, sage, thymes, and French tarragon. Once established they need only occasional watering.
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| Several culinary herbs qualify as low-water lawn replacements |
Challenge yourself to brainstorm creatively about garden
features that fit your lifestyle and interests.
Recently, I redesigned a front yard to include a bocce ball
court at the client’s request. They
now enjoy this traditional family game together, surrounded by a mix of
attractive flowering shrubs, gravel paths, and seating areas for visiting
together. It was satisfying to watch the visiting grandkids playing in the
court together. I don’t think they miss the old lawn.
How to Apply
First, make an appointment to get a pre-inspection survey.
Water district representatives will visit your garden to determine if you
qualify. They’ll take measurements of the lawn or pool, check irrigation, and
let you know if you qualify. They will fill out a request for application form,
and you will be sent the application package. Follow the instructions in the
application package, which typically requires photos, a plant list and simple
diagram (or description) of the garden design.
You can do this yourself or hire a garden designer to design
the space and also take care of submitting the application for you. Or hire a
designer on a consulting basis, if you’d rather do some of the work yourself. A designer can help you find a
landscaper too.
Resources:
Santa Clara Valley Water Conservation Hotline at (408)
630-2554
Santa Clara Valley Water District Landscape Rebate Program
A version of this article appeared in the Los Altos Town Crier
Photo credits: Patricia Larenas, Urban Artichoke
Bocce court garden installed by Jackie Marsey, Paradise Landscape and Garden
408.691.9358
