California Friendly Landscape Contest photos
A diverse mix of cactus and succulents fills the hillside garden behind the Ramona home of Michael Mendell and Mimi Kirk. The couple planted the garden after the Cedar fire burned the hillside bare but spared their home. |
Water-wise winners
The fifth annual San Diego County California Friendly Landscape Contest drew more than 60 entries this spring from homeowners who have cultivated water-wise landscapes. With water shortages on the horizon, there's no better time to follow their lead and replace water-guzzling lawns with drought-tolerant plants. Here are the top three regional winners, chosen from winners in each of the county's 16 water districts.
Old dishes, new planter
Filling large outdoor planters with soil for a small plant can be costly. Pieces of a broken clay pot or ceramic dish help drainage and prop up undersized plants. Place shards at the bottom of a large pot until almost half the pot is full, then fill the rest of the way with potting soil.
