Sustainable Showcase Garden
As part of Urban Green's launch we gave away a sustainable front yard design to a homeowner in Scripps Ranch. The idea was to cross promote Urban Green's design services and the community group Sustainable Scripps Ranch through an educational showcase project.
After the deserving homeowners were determined we jumped into the design process. Their existing yard was a typical suburban lot with a big lawn, exotic water loving plants and an outdated irrigation system. As the ultimate design took shape it encompassed many aspects of sustainability while enhancing the overall aesthetics and function of the front yard.
Design Elements
Central to the design is a bio-swale for stormwater recharge and filtration which serves as a regional example of watershed friendly landscaping. Rainwater from the roof is collected and filtered through a specialized stream bed made up of sand, rock and plants before it leaves the property. Other sustainable design features include native and appropriate low water use plants, locally sourced landscape materials, increased permeable surfaces, an efficient irrigation system and a smart irrigation controller.
Some of the more aesthetic and tactile elements include the bold use of plant material, potted plants, a flagstone patio and stone steps down to the bio-swale. Digging out the bio-swale generated excess soil which was used to create a small earthen mound with boulders and softened with sprawling native shrubs. These different earth forms within the front yard design create interest and diversity among a relatively small front yard.
Urban Green along with the support of several industry sponsors including Rainbird, Nature Designs, Green Meadow Growers, Mostatabi & Associates, volunteers from Urban Corps and the neighborhood this project has taken shape. The slideshow above documents the transformational process and will be updated with further photos as the landscape matures.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about making your next project more sustainable!
Some of the more aesthetic and tactile elements include the bold use of plant material, potted plants, a flagstone patio and stone steps down to the bio-swale. Digging out the bio-swale generated excess soil which was used to create a small earthen mound with boulders and softened with sprawling native shrubs. These different earth forms within the front yard design create interest and diversity among a relatively small front yard.
Urban Green along with the support of several industry sponsors including Rainbird, Nature Designs, Green Meadow Growers, Mostatabi & Associates, volunteers from Urban Corps and the neighborhood this project has taken shape. The slideshow above documents the transformational process and will be updated with further photos as the landscape matures.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about making your next project more sustainable!
Bio-swale in Action
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