Sustainable Showcase
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Garden Features
Drought Tolerant
Edible Garden
Graywater System
California Natives
Drip Irrigation
Pesticide Free
Rainwater Harvesting System
Rain Garden
Sheet Mulching
Lawn Conversion
Lawn-Free Landscaping
Permeable Surfaces
Partner: City of Petaluma
Our garden is a showcase of sustainable landscaping, designed to conserve water, support local biodiversity, and repurpose materials in innovative ways.
We started in April of 2024 by removing our existing concrete driveway and replacing it with Drivable Grass by Soil Retention Products, Inc. The permeable, plantable concrete system slows rainwater and allows it to soak into the ground.
Rather than discarding the old concrete, we reused the pieces to construct a rain garden and bioswale, which naturally filter and direct stormwater. The bioswale runs the length of our front yard and features river cobble from Wheeler Zamaroni. This river bed reminds me of the Sierras. Then, we connected our downspots to the garden to charge the soil with addtional rainwater.
Lastly, we built a graywater system with the help of Daily Acts to redirect water from our washing machine to irrigate the garden, further reducing water waste,
With the infrascture complete, we moved on to soil, mulch and plantings. We covered the swails with dirt, vineyard mulch from West Marin Compost, and mini redwood bark from Sonomarin Landscaping Materials.
In May of 2024, we focused on native plants, shrubs and trees that are drought-tolerant and pollinator friendly. We included a drip-irrigation system to help the plants get established during the Summer and early Autumn. The plants support our backyard honeybee colony and have attracted butterflies and hummingbirds too.
This project is a testament to how thoughtful design can create a beautiful, functional landscape while reducing environmental impact. I hope it inspires you to explore sustainable solutions for your own garden.