Being water-wise does not mean you cannot have a lawn. But it does mean that you give the high water demand of a turf area some thoughtful consideration. Rule #1: Keep it small – 500 to 600 sq ft of lawn is plenty. Rule #2: Allow the lawn that you do have to be a real jewel in the landscape. Show it off. A small lawn that has a distinctive geometric shape, a perfect square or circle for example, is going to be much more effective from a visual stand-point than the endless amoeba like creations that are typical in the average yard.
This project had a lot going for it before I began the new design. The pool was existing and beautifully done, but there were old rotting deck areas that needed removal. Typical of most residential landscapes, there was turf everywhere. To the tune of 1,755 sq ft. We reduced that by 1,500 sq ft. Playing with shapes, there are 2 circles that intersect in the new design: the new patio space and the perfectly round turf area bordered in the same flagstone. The new lawn is very useable at 18 ft in diameter with a total square footage of 255 . We added an area for a vegetable garden, created a pathway and new plantings in a sideyard and created more interest on an existing slope with the addition of landscape boulders and new low-water demand shrubs and ground covers.
Design Concept: small lawn is bordered in the same flagstone as the patio area that it intersects.
Before the turf is everywhere, including the side yard as it wraps around the house. A few raised beds inspired a bona fide vegetable garden.
After: a space that functions on many levels and uses significantly less water. The turf went from 1,755 sq ft to a very useable 255 sq ft.
the farther end of the yard is an informal collection of colorful ground covers, bullet-proof perennials and grasses. A series of stepping stones lead around to the side yard.
These boulders are a concrete composite and very realistic, especially the California 'Salt & Pepper' granite. They are very affordable and can be handled by a couple of hunky guys.
Boulders installed. The plants will fill in the area and these faux rocks will be almost impossible to tell from the real thing.
View from the slope looking down on the new patio and vegetable garden area.
A wide variety of vegetables and herbs grow in these raised beds.
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Wow, Jean — what a surprise to see my home featured on your truly wonderful website! It was worth every penny we spent. We’ve cut our water bill in half! And best yet? I truly love my back yard. It’s such an incentive to get up each morning, grab the newspaper, a cup of coffee and bask in the glory of your design. (I just put on a heavy hoodie, coat and gloves to “bask” in the wintertime!) I’m happy you suggested to save a patch of lawn — and believe me, our two dogs are very happy, too. Because of the redo, my summer veggies didn’t go in until September, but we still got a great harvest. And for the first time ever, I planted winter crops. Spinach, collards, cauliflower, Brussel sprounts, broccoli, snap peas and snow peas provided such a bountiful harvest that I was able to freeze bag after bag of vegetables. Thank you — it was a big step to take, but we’re so glad we took it. I’ll keep you updated. Oh — maintenance of everything is minimal. So much easier plantwise than what I had before.
Thanks Jannlee, I loved working with you on this project.