In hotter climates, like those found in the southwestern US, it takes over 55 inches of water per year to keep grass green. In a good year, Southern California receives around 10 inches of rain, leaving those remaining 45 inches of water in the hands of your sprinkler system. With water rates getting more and more expensive, and the introduction of mandatory water rationing programs being introduced throughout most of California, replacing grass with regional drought-resistant plants is a smart move. However, major changes to landscaping can be a scary thing. Hopefully, this post provides you with the inspiration you need to tackle your own home transformation.

In this first edition of a new series called Home Transformation – Before & After, we feature this home in Southern California:

Before:

A long and narrow lawn area was the main focal point of the front yard. The lawn was subject to full sun exposure all day, and the angled slope made it hard to avoid run-off. “When the days started to get hotter, it became increasingly hard to keep the grass looking green without really increasing the watering schedules. I wanted a solution that would allow me to keep some of my front grass, while also integrating regional drought-resistant plants,” the homeowner commented.

On the other side of the home, there was a narrower grass strip with a tree planter box. “The tree planter box offered some shade to help the grass, but the narrowness of the strip made it hard to water effectively without a lot of over spray,” the homeowners describes.

After:

More than half of the grass was removed from the front main lawn, leaving only a smaller level square patch. Once the grass was removed, mulch was added to bring back some nutrients into the dry dirt. “The mulch was so cheap! I purchased it from my local landfill for only about $10 for a truck load,” the homeowner remarks.

After spreading out the mulch, the new plants went in. “I planted flax, lavender, pink ladies, tea tree, several roses, and pygmy palms,” the homeowner describes. Low-cost stepping stones and a brass bird bath were then added to give the new planting area visual separation and character. Finally, wood chips were spread out in the bed to reduce evaporation and erosion.

On the side yard, two planter boxes were added along with another pygmy palm. “Overall, I am very happy the way it all came together. At first, it was definitely scary to think about tearing out so much of my grass. I wasn’t sure if it was going to look good. However, now that it is finished, I am wondering why I didn’t do this sooner!” remarks the homeowner.

Are you working on a major home transformation? We want to hear about it. Drop us a line, and maybe your house could be featured on Conservation Tutorials.