2023 Landscape Makeover Contest Archives

A drought tolerant design inspired by mountain views is the 2023 winner of the San Dieguito Water District Landscape Makeover Contest. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

Mountains Inspire Winners of San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Contest

August 10, 2023/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

Large trees were the driving force that led Encinitas homeowners to remove grass and create a vibrant, low-water use landscape. The waterwise transformation won the San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest.

Rick and Melanie Cullen had a yard with grass with large shade trees. But the roots of their three large Liquidambar trees were damaging the driveway and the grass, which motivated the couple to remake their landscape.

Overgrown landscape trees helped inspire Melanie Cullen to change her original landscaping to a waterwise design. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

Overgrown landscape trees helped inspire a change to a waterwise landscape design. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

“San Dieguito Water District is proud to recognize customers like the Cullens, who create beautiful and resilient landscapes while making efficient use of their water,” said Isam Hireish, general manager of San Dieguito Water District.

Mountain visits inspire landcape makeover

Melanie Cullen's new design incorporates a dry riverbed. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

The makeover design incorporates a dry riverbed. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

The Cullens wanted to plant a drought-tolerant, water-wise yard that would be easy to maintain, beautiful, and hold up to their frequent travel schedule.

“My inspiration was to create a water wise, drought-tolerant front yard that also provides us a beautiful yard as if we were in the mountains,” said Melanie Cullen. It started with taking existing small landscape rocks and repurposing them into a natural dry streambed feature.

Colorful plant palette pollinators love

Plants in beautiful colors that attract pollinators highlight the plant palette. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

Plants were selected that would thrive in the coastal San Diego County environment. The invasive Liquidambar trees were replaced by Blue Ice Cypress, Forest Pansy Red Bud, and dwarf Deodar Cedar trees. Colorful drought-tolerant flowering shrubs and perennials including Coastal Woolybush, salvias, echinaceas, Texas primrose, heronsbill, columbine, Grevillea ‘Mt. Tamboritha’ and ‘Sour Grapes’ Penstemon provide habitat for pollinators.

Fragrant ground cover

Grasses including Pennisetum ‘Fireworks’ and Acorus ‘Variegated Sweetflag’ add to the plant palette. Creeping Thyme and trailing Rosemary are used as colorful, fragrant ground cover.

A highlight: one dozen Azaleas create a woodland flower look. Cullen says they bloom when other plants aren’t flowering.

“One might think they are water hogs, but they get the same water as everything else and bloom quite a bit throughout the year,” said Cullen. “It was a matter of choosing the right type of Azalea (Red Bird and Alaska White).”

Drip irrigation system saves water

Melanie Cullen installed a circular drip irrigation system. She only needs to water once every one to two weeks for 20 minutes now that the plants are established. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

A circular drip irrigation system requires watering plants only once every one-to-weeks for 20 minutes. Photo: San Dieguito Water District

The Cullens used a drip irrigation system that encircles each plant individually to direct water to the specific plant. They already had a smart irrigation controller which is still in use. A remote moisture sensor was added allowing the homeowners to monitor the ground moisture at the plants and then adjust watering for the yard.

Three to four inches of bark mulch helps retain irrigation, which has worked “extremely well.”

Tapping rain

Melanie Cullen says the irrigation was turned off completely from January through May due to generous rainfall. “Presently, we only need to water once every one to two weeks for 20 minutes,” she said.

“I join our Board of Directors in recognizing the leadership of the Cullens and commend them for taking proactive steps to improve our community’s resilience to a changing climate,” said Isam Hireish, General Manager of San Dieguito Water District. “I encourage all customers to utilize water more efficiently and take advantage of the various water-saving incentives we offer.”

In the months since the landscape makeover, the Cullens report all their original goals were met. “We love sitting in our front now and watching the many hummingbirds that also love our yard,” said Melanie Cullen.

For rebates, classes, and water-saving tips: sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/.

(Editor’s note: The San Dieguito Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration

August 8, 2023/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Three resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.

Full Story

Dean Williams replace his grass with colorful drought tolerant plants. His landscape makeover won first place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration

August 7, 2023/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

Three resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.

Video features the three winning projects

Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful

Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing landscaping.

“It wasn’t a garden, it was a yard,” recalls Williams.

In 2020, Williams found resources on the Vallecitos Water District website for saving water by redesigning your landscaping. The results won first place in the 2023 landscape makeover contest.

Dean Williams’ home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“There are so many resources. The first step was to take some landscape classes offered through the San Diego County Water Authority, find out the process and what I needed to do,” said Williams.

After removing existing turf using the sheet mulching method to create healthy soil, he planned a colorful plant palette to replace his grass.

Dean Williams’ home before his winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

“One of the big things I wanted to change was to go from a drab landscape to having some variety by using different textures on the plants, different flowers, different colors, and complementing colors,” said Williams, who used purple and yellow as the primary landscape colors. “I tried to have an interesting landscape pleasing to the eye.”

The colorful redesign saves water and costs. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Williams said the benefit of installing drip irrigation and a smart controller was significant water and cost savings.

“We’ve noticed over that our water use and bills have gone slowly down,” he said.

Lessons learned

Williams said the “do it yourself” project offered many lessons learned, including watering too often.

“Drought-tolerant plants don’t do well in wet soil,” said Williams.

Williams encourages other homeowners to tap into all the available resources through the Vallecitos Water District, Water Authority, City of Carlsbad, and others for advice and possible rebates to offset their investment.

“It just pays in more ways than one to change your landscape. “I want to thank Vallecitos Water District for selecting us so we can showcase our landscape transformation,” said Williams.

Dean Williams took advantage of free resources offered by the Vallecitos Water District and San Diego County Water Authority. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Donald De Tar: DIY project earns second place

Donald De Tar’s home after completing his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Donald De Tar learned about the annual Landscape Makeover Contest through the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society. “So, we decided on a lark to enter,” said De Tar.

His Woodlawn Park area home in San Marcos is dedicated to succulents, cactus, and drought-tolerant plants.

De Tar says it not only saves water but it also saves time spent mowing, fertilizing, and trimming grass. It’s also a lot of fun.

Donald De Tar’s home before his landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

De Tar is proud of the budget-friendly approach to his landscaping.

“I did it on a very inexpensive budget,” said De Tar. “It doesn’t have to be super expensive, especially if you join an organization like the Palomar Cactus and Succulent Society. It can be almost free, especially if you’re doing the work yourself.”

De Tar learned about rebate programs through the Vallecitos Water District, and he successfully applied for rebates to offset costs. “Over time, we did the whole yard, and the backyards and side yards have been transformed.”

I’m very appreciative of the Vallecitos contest,” said De Tar. “I like the fact that Vallecitos is involved in the community and promotes these kinds of contests.”

Mily Le Wins Third Place

The results of Mily Le’s landscape makeover, which won second place. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

Third place went to longtime San Marcos homeowner Mily Le. She learned about the annual landscape contest through the Vallecitos Water District’s customer newsletter, “Between The Pipes.”

Le visited the lawn replacement program website and learned how to remove her regional grass safely and effectively. She got her design laid out and purchased plants from her local nursery.

Mily Le's home before her landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District 2023

The Mily Le home before her landscape makeover. Photo: Vallecitos Water District

As a result, Le says she saves about 30% of her water consumption after replacing her lawn. She says she learned from a neighbor’s experience about researching the eventual size of plants before planting them.

“(My neighbor) did not look it up,” she said. “She had to demolish the front yard, so I took that lesson.”

Le suggests lots of advance planning with your layout. “I’m glad I did it. I think it’s a successful project,” said Le.

For rebates, classes, and water-saving tips: sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/.

(Editor’s note: The Vallecitos Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the metropolitan San Diego region.)

A 1920s La Mesa landscape used lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Lush Landscape Recognized as Runner-Up in Helix Landscape Contest

August 3, 2023/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

The slope of a 1920s La Mesa home went from a drab lawn to lush floral color with climate-appropriate plants, winning recognition from the Helix Water District as the runner-up in its 2023 WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

The country garden with climate-appropriate plants is the creation of Joanna and Larry Henning. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Joanna and Larry Henning created the country garden with climate-appropriate plants. Photo: Helix Water District

The contest promotes beautiful, water-efficient landscapes and rewards people for their inspiring gardens. Joanna and Larry Henning created the country garden with climate-appropriate plants.

The Hennings bought the property in La Mesa‘s historic downtown area in 2017. Its landscape was covered in weeds and poorly maintained trees. The couple wanted a new landscape that would fill in the expansive slope and be water efficient while staying true to the character of their home.

Before

The Hennings home prior to its landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District lush landscape

Before the landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District

After

After the landscape makeover. Photo: Helix Water District

Succulent cuttings

Planting an area this large with new plants can be expensive. But the couple were creative and resourceful, sourcing their plants for the new landscape design. Larry Henning used succulent cuttings from friends and family to plant most of their new landscape.

They supplemented the landscape with carefully chosen specimen plants, including protea, sages, and plumeria. These choices create the landscape’s variety of interesting shapes and colors. Five years after starting the project, even the slowest growing plants are fully grown and have transformed the landscape.

Irrigation efficiency

Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters. Photo: Helix Water District

The landscape uses water efficiently to provide enough water for the plants to flourish without waste. Watering schedules are controlled using a smart weather-based irrigation controller. It automatically adjusts for rain and weather changes. Plants receive water from inline drip irrigation with pressure-compensating drip emitters.

Pressure compensation is essential for sloped landscapes because it maintains even watering rates all along the slope and prevents overwatering areas at the bottom of the landscape, where pressure is higher. Mulch covers the drip system, which protects the soil and slows evaporation.

Colorful addition to the La Mesa neighborhood

The view from the patio at the Hennings' La Mesa home. Photo: Helix Water District

The view from the patio. Photo: Helix Water District

The landscape delivers ample curb appeal. From the street, trees frame the landscape, filled with shades of green and pops of color. Viewers can also see agave, cacti, and dozens of other succulents. Many display long cones of flowers. From the front patios, the garden provides a tranquil space for the family to enjoy.

District officials selected the landscape for special runner-up recognition due to its impressive transformation and efficient use of color and irrigation.

Helix Water District holds its landscape makeover contest annually. Entries are accepted starting every February through mid-May. For entry information, go to landscapecontest.com.

(Editor’s note: The Helix Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

A beautiful Santee garden oasis is the winner of the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Contest. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Santee Garden Oasis Wins 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District Landscape Contest

August 1, 2023/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

Santee homeowners Edie and Tate Thomas created a beautiful landscape with California native plants to save water, beautify their home, and support the region’s wildlife. Their effort won the 2023 Padre Dam Municipal Water District landscape makeover contest.

Preserving rainfall by design

The Thomases buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, watering the plants with minimal water loss. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District Santee Garden

Buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, allows watering the plants with minimal water loss. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

In 2018, the couple began working on their makeover project. Edie Thomas is an architect, and Tate Thomas is a contractor. They took advantage of their building and design skills by creating a topography to capture and preserve the rainwater falling on their yard.

Their landscape is irrigated through underground rock ravines that collect rainwater in a rock-lined underground cistern reservoir which flows water to plants through gravity. They also buried large unglazed clay pots in their yard called ollas, which have above-ground access points to refill them with water. Plants wrap their roots around the porous ollas, which seep water out as needed, watering the plants with minimal water loss.

Edit Thomas advises other homeowners to do the same with their landscape topography.

“I always recommend people visualize a single drop of rainwater falling at the highest point of your landscape,” she said. “Watch where gravity takes that raindrop and plan your landscape around that flow.”

The pair also use drip irrigation about once a month along with occasional hand watering during extended dry periods.

Colorful variety of native plants featured

A wide variety of California native plants are featured in the winning landscape design. Photo: Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Long nature walks and information from the California Native Plant Society inspired the Thomas’s to use native plants for most of their landscape, mixing colors and texture to be visually appealing. They have been richly rewarded with an ecosystem of butterflies, caterpillars, bees, birds, and bunnies. They describe their design concept as “playful chaos.”

Community space

The sidewalk in front of the garden is designed to be a community space for those walking by. The large California Coastal Live Oak provides shade to the retaining wall, designed as a place to sit and rest. Visitors can browse through books from the couple’s Little Free Library. Water-efficient herbs growing in the planter boxes under the tree are offered to those who pass by.

Edie and Tate Thomas spend most evenings on their patio, enjoying the space and watching their ecosystem thrive. They look forward to watching the plants grow and mature in the coming years and even decades.

“It’s so rewarding to see people come by and rest in the shade or take some rosemary for their dinner,” said Edie Thomas. “I love that we get to give a small square of land back to nature and that our neighbors enjoy it as much as we do.”

(Editor’s note: The Padre Dam Municipal Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

Diane Krupnak's smart planning and design helped her win the 2023 Vista Irrigation District landscape makeover contest. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Vista Irrigation District Landscape Winner Complements Home Design

July 20, 2023/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

Vista Homeowner Diane Krupnak redesigned her front yard to save water and won the 2023 Vista Irrigation District WaterSmart Landscape Contest.

The annual contest recognizes outstanding waterwise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient irrigation methods.

Workshops provide homeowner know-how

Concerned by the severity of the last drought, Krupnak removed the water-thirsty grass from her front yard to reduce water use. She began her project by enrolling in the free WaterSmart Landscape Makeover series of workshops for homeowners offered by the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies.

The workshops gave Krupnak the knowledge to move forward with her makeover, including soil assessment, creating a landscape plot plan, and drip irrigation basics, and mulching.

Colorful plant palette replaces grass

Diane Krupnake wanted a landscape that would complement the Mediterranean aesthetic of her home. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

Krupnak started by researching the plants she wanted to add to her yard. She focused on the plants’ characteristics and water needs to make sure they would be compatible in her landscape.

She also wanted a landscape to complement the Mediterranean aesthetic of her home. Krupnak selected a base color palate in greens and whites highlighted with pops of color. Once the plan came together, she hired landscape professionals to install the new landscape and hardscape.

The green hues in her landscape design come from shaggy Cousin Itt Acacias, Wheeler’s Dwarf Pittosporum, dwarf daylilies, and Italian Oregano. Each plant provides contrasting textures and structure creating visual interest. A fruitless Olea Swan Hill olive tree stands as the focal point of her yard.

White tones include flowering Scaevola White plants adjacent to Krupnak’s new permeable walkways accentuating the earth tones of the pavers.

The base colors in the winning landscape design are accented with bright reds from plants like Caliente Deep Red Geraniums and Tecoma Stans Bells of Fire Esperanza, as well as yellow foliage from Sunset Gold Coleonema pulchellum.

Beautiful results reduce water use, saving money and time

The landscape makeover replaced grass with new low-water-use plants and a patio area. Photo: Vista Irrigation District

“I chose a landscape of moderate to low water use plants that complement the Mediterranean influence of my home,” said Krupnak. “I save money on my water bills and no longer pay to have my yard mowed.”

The hardscape included in Krupnak’s design plan provides functional living space. The patio replaces a flat lawn area near the home’s entranceway and transforms it into an inviting place to sit and admire the rest of her new landscape.

Free WaterSmart landscape workshops – online or in-person

“Free regional WaterSmart landscape workshops are available online and in person to assist homeowners in upgrading their home’s landscape to reduce water bills,” said Brent Reyes, VID management analyst. “Additionally, turf removal rebates can help with the cost.”

Participating San Diego County Water Authority member agencies include the Vista Irrigation District, Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, Rincon Del Diablo Water District, and the cities of Escondido and Oceanside. Customers of California American Water also can access the workshops.

For more information about the contest and to see more examples of waterwise landscaping, visit www.landscapecontest.com. Visit the district’s website to learn more about free landscape workshops and incentive programs.

Vista Irrigation District is a public agency governed by an elected five-member board. The district provides water service to roughly 134,000 people in the city of Vista and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

(Editor’s note: The Vista Irrigation District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

Carolina Schultz's transformed landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California-friendly landscape using less water. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Landscape Transformation Wins Sweetwater Authority Contest

July 12, 2023/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle Falkenthal

National City homeowner Catalina Schultz decided to reinvent her yard. Her landscape transformation from grass to a low-water use design is the 2023 winner of the Sweetwater Authority WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Contest.

The front yard before the landscape transformation. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Schultz’s landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California-friendly landscape using less water. Schultz was recognized for her accomplishment at the Authority’s June board meeting.

When Schultz purchased her house in 2011, the front yard was covered in turf and required lots of effort and water to maintain. She decided to reinvent her yard, planning out a space full of low-water use plants, steppingstone, and decorative planters.

The space is now full of low-water use plants, steppingstones, and decorative planters. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The transformed landscape includes flowering plants and shrubs like Sedum, Oleander, and Aeonium. The yard also features a variety of cacti and succulents, including Elephant Bush, Ghost Euphorbia, Jade, Cholla Cactus, and more.

Impressive water-saving results

A rain barrel is part of the newly redesigned landscape. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

Schultz now waters her yard only once a month when needed. A passionate gardener, she prefers to water each plant by hand, using water collected from her rain barrel.

By switching from turf to water-wise plants, Schultz saves an estimated 12,000 gallons of water each year.

“Ms. Schultz’s landscape transformation clearly demonstrates that investing in a water-wise landscape can add beauty to your home while providing big savings on your water bill,” said Board Chair Hector Martinez. “The Authority is here to provide rebates, resources, and support to any customer interested in investing in a low water-use landscape.”

Catalina Schultz now waters her yard only once a month when needed. Photo: Sweetwater Authority

The annual WaterSmart Landscape Contest is an opportunity for Authority customers to showcase their best, water-wise landscapes. All customers who have transformed their yards to be more water efficient are encouraged to enter the contest for the chance to win a $250 gift certificate.

(Editor’s note: The Sweetwater Authority is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

Nana’s Garden Wins Otay Water District’s 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest

July 5, 2023/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County /by Mike Lee /Water News Network Mentioned: San Diego County Water Authority

Lois Scott transformed her El Cajon home’s green front lawn with rose bushes into a colorful water-wise landscape with a little help from her friends. Now called “Nana’s Garden,” it is this year’s Otay Water District Landscape Makeover Contest winner.

Full Story

Retired nurse Lois Scott's winning makeover transformed her El Cajon home's front yard into "Nana's Garden." Photo: Otay Water District

Nana’s Garden Wins Otay Water District’s 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest

July 5, 2023/in Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

Lois Scott transformed her El Cajon home’s green front lawn with rose bushes into a colorful water-wise landscape with a little help from her friends. Now called “Nana’s Garden,” it is this year’s Otay Water District Landscape Makeover Contest winner.

Nana’s Garden is in Otay Water District’s division 5, which is represented by Board President Mark Robak.

Water savings drive creative changes

Before and after photos of the 2023 Otay Water District landscape makeover contest winner, "Nana's Garden." Photo: Otay Water District

Before and after photos of Lois Scott’s winning landscape makeover. Photo: Otay Water District

Scott, who worked as a registered nurse for 42 years before retiring, decided to change her landscaping after years of facing high water usage, lack of rain, and rabbits invading her yard. In 2020, she applied for a rebate through the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Landscape Transformation Program. She received a rebate amount of $4,161 for 1,387 square feet of turf removed.

Lois Scott exchanged grass for colorful nature and low water use plants. Photo: Otay Water District

Scott participated in the San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program in 2021. The free classes helped her come up with a plan to upgrade her yard.

“I fell in love with all the different plants I was learning about in the class,” said Scott. “With all the colors and textures, I couldn’t just limit my garden to a few plants. I call my garden Nana’s Garden, full of lots of variation, just like my grandchildren.”

Neighbors and friends help Nana’s Garden come alive

The winning landscape features boulders and rocks Lois Scott dug up or found in online ads. Photo: Otay Water District

With the help of kids from the neighborhood, Scott dug up dirt and rocks to create a pathway with decomposed granite and stepping stones. Three large boulders she found on Craigslist became the new focal point of her succulent garden.

“This 64-year-old grandma sure did bring many wheelbarrows of rocks in,” said Scott.

Existing irrigation was converted to a low water use drip system. Photo: Otay Water District

Scott’s best friend is a succulent fan who helped her plant natives and succulents. She engaged a professional gardener to convert her irrigation system from sprinklers to drip. She capped 17 of 19 existing spray sprinkler heads causing water runoff across sidewalks, leaving two for a drip retrofit. She uses a drip line to primarily feed the trees and succulents, while a separate line and a rain barrel water the rest of the plants.

Scott’s new landscape has allowed an overall water use reduction of an average of approximately 41% compared to the years before upgrading.

Richness of plant life attracts pollinators

Bright blooms attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Photo: Otay Water District

Scott says she enjoys seeing her garden grow. Some plants are soft, fussy, slick, and smooth, while others are prickly. She is amazed by the richness of the purple in the lavender and the bright fluorescent of the honeysuckle.

“The fun part now is to sit back and enjoy the gentle breeze while watching the honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds have their feast in my garden,” said Scott. “I am loving the lower water bill and knowing that I am helping the environment by saving water.”

Inspiration and resources for residents and businesses

El Cajon resident Lois Scott’s completed landscape makeover. Photo: Otay Water District

“The winner’s landscape will demonstrate to other residents the great benefits of installing waterwise yards and hopefully encourage them to change how they use water outdoors,” said Robak. “The District makes it a priority to provide resources for residential and commercial customers who are considering ways to make water-use efficiency a way of life.”

Otay will honor Scott at its July board meeting with a certificate of recognition, a gift certificate to a local nursery of her choice, a yard sign, and other promotional items.

WaterSmart Landscape Content details here and for information on water conservation rebates and programs for residents, businesses and agriculture in San Diego County, go to: www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/.

(Editor’s note: The Otay Water District is one of the San Diego County Water Authority’s 24 member agencies that deliver water across the San Diego County region.)

Joy August's winning landscape design is perfectly suited to the historic 1925 La Mesa home shared with her spouse, Marta Luisa Sclar. Photo: Helix Water District

Historic La Mesa Home Wins Helix Water District’s 2023 Landscape Contest

July 3, 2023/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal

A charming 1925 La Mesa home featuring a rich tapestry of thriving low-water use plants won the 2023 Helix Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.

Homeowner Joy Andrea, a retired schoolteacher and La Mesa resident for more than 50 years, created a landscape with a tremendous amount of curb appeal, reflecting the character of the home. Andrea’s design includes a balanced mix of shrubs, ground cover, potted plants, large stones, and decorative statues.

Natural look compliments historic home

Joy Andrea says she enjoys maintaining her new landscape. Photo: Helix Water District

Andrea transformed the previous all-lawn landscape into a low-water-use front yard with a thriving fruit and vegetable garden in the back yard.

“When I first moved here, all this was grass that you would have to water with a hose, or it would go brown in the summer,” said Andrea. “The neighbors that used to live around me would have to be outside watering with a hose. Bless their hearts, I never wanted that. It is more rewarding for me to plant, prune and maintain this space than a flat lawn.”

Joy Andrea selected plants with a consistent grey-blue theme showing pops of color throughout her La Mesa home. Photo: Helix Water District

“I wanted to create an old-fashioned, natural look to compliment my 1925 historic home,” said Andrea. “That’s what I tried to create and the plants take on a character of their own.”

Andrea selected plants with a consistent grey-blue theme showing pops of color throughout. Plants featured in the landscape include pride of Madeira, gazania, blue fescue, bottle brush, felt plant, jasmine, and various succulents.

Numerous wrought iron statues decorate the landscape. Photo: Helix Water District

Andrea placed numerous wrought iron statues within the landscape, inspiring imagination and life from every angle. She also included a bottle brush tree and used larger shrubs bordering the landscape. Containers are filled with succulent groupings spilling out.

The landscape design shows how smaller spaces commonly found in front of most residential homes can feel bigger by creating points of interest and using a variety of plants and trees to add color and character.

Design advice for a landscape you love

The landscaping uses drip irrigation and spray emitters to direct water where it is needed. Photo: Helix Water District

She has some advice for others wanting to makeover their landscapes.

“Pick hardy drought-resistant plants that you love and enjoy seeing,” she said. “Remember to keep your small plants in the front and have your taller plants toward the back and if you don’t like what you have, don’t be afraid to take it out, replant it or get something else.”

The irrigation system uses efficient drip emitters for the larger plants and tall pop-up sprays for the groundcover. Andrea enjoys tending to her potted plants by hand-watering them.

“Water is our single most important commodity on the planet,” said Andrea. “We must all use it carefully and not just in our yards and landscapes, but with everything we do.”

Annual competition invites residents to share their projects

Share your landscape makeover skills in next year’s contest to inspire your neighbors. Photo: Helix Water District

The annual landscape makeover competition recognizes residents for outstanding water-efficient landscapes based on overall attractiveness, design, efficient irrigation, appropriate plant selection, and maintenance.

Photos of Andrea’s yard will appear in the winner’s section at landscapecontest.com, along with past winners of the Helix Water District contest and those of other participating water agencies in San Diego County.