Lot size: 1,500 sq. ft. front garden, 90% native

Garden Age: Front garden was installed in the spring of 2007

Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: New this year!

Showcase Feature John and Drew were uncomfortable with the amount of water their thirsty lawn required; inspired by the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour, they decided to make a change. The front garden, once wall-to-wall lawn, was designed by Kat Weiss of Kat Weiss Landscape Design. Today an attractive array of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers grace the garden, which was installed by hardy do-it-your-selfers Drew and John.  Go ahead! Ask them how they removed the lawn, and what the costs were. Other Garden Attractions

• The front lawn was used to create the raised beds, which provide drainage for the natives; the former straight concrete walkway became a winding path; an arborist delivered the mulch free.
• The buffalo grass lawn in the back yard uses much less water than traditional lawns do; it is watered just once a week—even in the hot, hot Livermore summers.
• Check out the chicken mansion in the back garden, home to a happy flock of chickens, including buff Orpingtons, silver lace and blue Wyandottes, Cochins, and an Easter Egger, which lays blue eggs.
• Walk three houses down to Lisa and Andy Paterson’s garden.

Gardening for Wildlife Leaf-cutter bees take half-moon-shaped bites from the redbud leaves. The garden attracts numerous bees, as well as monarch and swallowtail butterflies. Garden Talk 11:00 and 2:00 “How to raise chickens in the city (hint: it’s easy!)” by Drew Andersen. 12:00 and 3:00 “How to remove a lawn and install a native plant garden— yourself!” by Drew Andersen