John Allen and Bob Whiting enjoy their beautiful Vista yard, the winner of the 2024 Vallecitos WaterSmart Landscape Design content. Photo: Vallecitos Water DIstrictDiverse Design Named Vallecitos 2024 Landscape Makeover Contest Winner
John Allen, a resident of Vista, California, for 17 years, says he “got a bug” for growing cycads, inspired by a local enthusiast who raised and retrieved them. Cycads are a plant group that originally flourished back in the dinosaur age.
It wasn’t long before he began cultivating them in his one-acre garden, adding palms, cacti, and aloes. The result is the Vallecitos Water District’s 2024 Landscape Contest Makeover winner.
“It is truly rewarding to witness customers exploring unique water-wise plants and deriving genuine joy from the experience,” said Vallecitos Board President Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson. “At every turn in John’s yard, there lies a beautiful surprise – rare plants that not only provide a glimpse into our botanical history but also support our local wildlife. The diversity of interest that can be added to one’s yard with unique water-wise plants far exceeds that of turf grass, and John’s garden serves as an exceptional example of this.”
John Allen’s yard prior to its landscape design makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
“I believe in water conservation, without a doubt,” said Allen. “I realize that Southern California has a limited supply of water and ever-increasing population. I don’t know how my usage compares with other customers, but I think it’s fairly low, considering it’s one acre.”
Take a video tour through Allen’s garden.
Learning Through Doing
Allen says the expansive garden is his first project. He approached it with a “learn by doing” effort. This included installing a drip irrigation system, which he says he found to be efficient and easy to manage.
“The drip system, it really minimizes the water and puts it right to the plants where you need the water, instead of just wasting it on unused areas,” explained Allen. “You make some mistakes here and there, but you can fix it, usually with the drip system, pretty easy.”
Allen’s landscaping features a tremendous diversity in its plant life, which attracts a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, hawks, hummingbirds, and roadrunners. He says visitors also enjoy the different types of plants, many of which they have never seen before.
“They really find it interesting, and especially when the cactus bloom in the springtime, it’s really interesting … I guess it is close to a small botanic garden,” said Allen.
John Allen’s yard features a wide array of low-water-use plants in its diverse design, including cycads, cacti, and aloes. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
A Peaceful Landscape Retreat
Allen also enjoys the diverse landscape and views his hobby as a peaceful retreat.
“It’s really nice to sit down and sit back at the end of the day after your work and enjoy what you’ve done, watch things grow.” Allen says pursuing his interest is one of his best decisions.
“I’ve collected a lot of plants along the way, raised plants from seeds, sold plants on the side. It’s so peaceful and quiet. I couldn’t wish for anything better,” said Allen.
