2025 Contest Winner

Homeowner	Catherine and David S
Location	Chula Vista
Yard	Side

Project

As a retired military family, Catherine and David’s goal was to create a beautiful, low- maintenance yard that was ideal for their busy lifestyle after retirement. In 2023, they replaced 792 square feet of turf and received a $2,376 rebate from the SoCal WaterSmart Turf Replacement Program. The project included installing water-wise plants, a Hunter Wi-Fi irrigation controller, replacing their sprinklers with a drip system, and applying gorilla hair shredded redwood mulch. Two rain barrels now provide water for potted plants, a decorative fountain, and birdbaths, which attract a variety of wildlife. One rain barrel captures water for the side yard, while the second barrel is located down in their sloped backyard. It is connected to the home’s rain gutter by an extended downspout. Their project has helped reduce their overall water use by about 39%.

Plants Used

Museum palo verde, Carolina cherry, western redbud, autumn sage, pride of Madeira, Spanish lavender, echeveria, kangaroo paw, blue fescue, lamb’s ears, cordyline australis