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© GardenSoft Photography
Kat and Eric Weiss' garden
Livermore
Garden Lot size: 10,000 sq. ft. lot 80% natives in front, 95% in rear
Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): 5 years (8 years)
Showcase feature: In the fall of 2004 the front lawn was covered with cardboard and five inches of wood chips; shortly after that it was planted with shrubs and perennials from the chaparral and oak woodland plant communities. In spring this garden is a riot of color; a variety of brightly glazed pots add visual appeal. The front porch has been stained to look like...(it's a surprise!) In 2005 the rear lawn and a large concrete RV pad were also removed. The concrete ('urbanite') was stained and used to create the raised sunset viewing terrace. The old lawn was shaped into mounds that were planted with native bulbs, wildflowers, grasses, and perennials. This garden was designed by Kat, owner of Kat Weiss Landscape Design, and and installed by Kat her husband, Eric, and R&J Landscaping of Livermore.
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© GardenSoft Photography
Other garden attractions:
- This garden now receives little summer water.
- The straight concrete walkway in the front became the rose bed wall, and an old interior door became a secret garden door.
- Kat’s mother’s redwood deck became the two arbors in the back garden.
- Weeds are pulled by hand (an easy job, with the mulch).
- Pick up a WaterWise CD and pollution prevention materials, provided by the Zone 7 Water Agency.
© GardenSoft Photography
Gardening for Wildlife: Penstemon, California fuchsia, white, pitcher and Sonoma sages, coffeeberry, native grasses, manzanita, several currants, and California lilac provide food, shelter and nesting areas for a variety of birds, native bees, honeybees and butterflies. Hummingbirds, finches, robins, doves, and songbirds now happily visit this garden.