Chris and Marianne Dundon’s garden ♿️

Martinez

Lot size: Front garden 750 sq. ft., 90% native; the back garden is 1,000 sq. ft. and 60% native

Garden Age: Back garden was planted in 2005; the front garden was installed in the spring of 2010

Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 4

Showcase Feature

In 2005 Chris replaced a small backyard lawn with a dry creek bed and native landscaping. This eliminated the awkward job of bringing the lawn mower down the stairs every week, and as Chris said, “dramatically increased the beauty of the garden.” With the lawn gone, the back garden, which features blue oak, California buckeye, and manzanitas, is now very low maintenance.

In the fall of 2009 Chris took the slow, easy lawn-removal route, and sheet mulched his front lawn away. During the winter he did his planning and shopping, then, over the course of one long weekend in the spring of 2010, Chris installed the Netafim drip irrigation system, planted, and mulched—and the beautiful native front garden was complete. This low-cost, low-maintenance, water-conserving garden is not only practical; it was also inexpensive—costing less than $1,000.

Chris’ goals for the garden transformation were to reduce water use, decrease the amount of time needed for garden maintenance, and attract wildlife; happily all three of these goals were met!

During the extreme drought of 2015 the Dundon’s water use was already so low that they did not need to cut back much based on Contra Costa Water District’s drought program.

To create a low-maintenance garden Chris selected woody shrubs and groundcovers, such as manzanitas, which need little or no care. Maintenance primarily consists of cutting back perennials and grasses, which is a monthly or quarterly task. Now, not only is the garden attractive, but on Saturdays, instead of mowing and watering the lawn, Chris can now spend time that relaxing, or engaged in hobbies.

Finally, the garden draws in butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other birds. Interestingly enough, reports Chris, when flocks of turkeys roam the neighborhood they go for the yards with lawns and never seem to visit his garden, “which is a good thing.”

Other Garden Attractions

After the lawn was replaced with the native plant garden, the Dundons’ household water use dropped by 30%.
Manzanitas, California lilac, and coffeeberry provide structure and greenery throughout the year.
Basalt stepping stones wend through a pleasing array of Douglas iris, bunchgrasses, and sweetly scented sages, and lead to a small seating area at the back of the garden, from which Chris and Marianne can enjoy it all in the cool of the evening.
Find out how you can receive a rebate of up to $1000 to remove and replace your lawn with a water-wise garden! At this garden, flyers will be available with information on the Contra Costa Water District’s Lawn to Garden Rebate and free Landscape Design Assistance Program. If you include 70% or more natives in your plan you can have your own garden on the Tour!!