Creating a Garden Oasis During a Drought

The pandemic has shown us the value of having an oasis in your own backyard, a little slice of heaven to spend time in. Although we are all now getting out and about, having somewhere beautiful to come home to is both wonderful for your family and a great investment.
We are now back in a serious drought (we never really got out) so how do you create a lush, beautiful getaway for your home during these times? You must arm yourself with knowledge, some technology, and design chops.
The way to attack this problem is three pronged; well designed hardscape preferably some of it permeable, climate appropriate plant material, and a focus on your soil which can help you capture water and sequester carbon. Your designer should use the Watershed approach when designing your gardens.
The design should include rain gardens, sheet mulching or some form of soil preparation, permeable hardscape materials, and as mentioned before proper plant material. To create a water wise design I meet with my client (multiple times), get a lay of the land, and do plant and materials research with and for them before I begin a design. Those steps are necessary in order to create a landscape that will take care of itself and in turn our planet.
By doing the research, designing with a pro, and paying attention to nature you can have a beautiful garden oasis that is tailored to your family’s needs and desires.
Julie Molinare is a Certified Landscape Designer living in the Santa Clarita for over 20 years. Julie taught the Introduction to Landscape Design Class @ CSUN Tseng College of Extended Learning and is Owner/Designer of The Grass Is Always Greener Designs 661-917-3521 www.thegrassisalwaysgreener.net – make sure to visit the blog page to sign up for information and garden reminders.