Michael Escobar's Garden
Walnut Creek
Gardening experience: 16 years, 7 years at this location
Garden size: 11,000 square-foot
Showcase feature: Wide native borders have been installed around the peripheries of the reduced lawns. A fountain near the front door adds the sound of splashing water to attract wildlife. The back garden, which contains expansive curving garden beds around a lawn big enough for active children to play on, also contains a pond, waterfall, and fountain.
Other garden attractions:
- Weeds are controlled with corn gluten and pulled by hand or burned.
- The lawns are fertilized organically with compost, kelp, and fish or bone meal.
- Dense planting outcompete weeds.
- Check out the gardener's list of "Native Plants That Attract Wildlife."
Gardening for Wildlife: Food, shelter, and nesting areas are provided for creatures large and small. Wildlife are attracted by the sound of falling water: five bird feeders containing seed, one containing suet, and one hummingbird feeder, plus nectar plants for the hummingbirds, keep the feathered visitors happy. Plants with seeds, nectar, and fruit provide food for the insects, birds, and mammals. Three bird nest boxes, dense grasses, rock piles, and brush tangles provide shelter and nesting areas for wildlife. Thirty-two species of birds have been seen in this garden, and 13 species of butterflies. Pacific chorus frogs found the pond by themselves. These tiny frogs are now joined by western toads, slender salamanders, and western fence lizards. Six species of bees also frequent the garden.
Garden Talks: 11:00 and 2:00 "Replacing a Lawn with Water-Conserving Natives"