UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County
UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

Master Gardener Water-wise Demonstration Garden

Summer Dry Climate

In Sonoma Valley, summers are always dry. Using natives and other low-water use plants offers beauty while conserving water.

 

 

 

 

Water-wise garden

Ways to Conserve

  • Choose natives & low water-use plants
  • Use drip irrigation
  • Apply mulch to retain moisture
  • Use permeable materials for pathways
  • Transform high water use planting to water-wise plantings

Learn more about Garden Sense.

Conceptual Landscape Design

Conceptual Landscape Design
The site was cleared and the new beds, known as Pods, were built using hugekulter principles.
Hugekulter is a horticultural technique where decaying wood debris and other compostable biomass plant materials is mounded and covered with soil to create a raised bed. It is said that the technique helps to improve soil fertility and water retention.
 
The garden was developed in stages covering planting; installation of irrigation; sheet mulching the paths; edging the pods with stone from a member’s property; Plus Weeding!!