A CLOSER LOOK:
JENNIFER DELL
Plants used include: purple hopseed (Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’), yew plum pine (Podocarpus), Australian willow (Geijera parviflora), Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha), Cleveland sage (Salvia clevelandii), Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans), Iceberg and other roses (Rosa), lavender (Lavandula), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), jasmine (Jasminum), honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), various iris and other perennial bulbs, California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), cosmos, lantana, sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus), red grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), ‘Bearss’ lime (Citrus x latifolia), Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu), Meyer lemon (Citrus x meyeri), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica), Saturn ‘donut’ peach (Prunus persica var. platycarpa), Pluot, Pomegranate (Punica granatum), Mission fig (Ficus carica ‘Mission’), bay laurel tree (Laurus nobilis)
Where are the plants from? Various North County nurseries, including Ganter Nursery and El Plantio Nursery & Landscaping, the Vista farmers market and Costco
Estimated costs? Approximately $700 for the main effort, but probably another $200 to $300 in additional plants since then.
Was there a water district rebate or contest prize?
Yes. Approximately $4,000 for the rebate, and a $250 award from the water district
Who did the work? Dell did all the work with help from her family.
How long did it take? 1 to 11⁄2 years overall
Water savings: Unknown, but even with all the new plants, her bill has not changed since she moved into her house in 2019.
ADVICE:
• Remove all of your lawn all at once to maximize the grant award, but be prepared to pay taxes on that “income.”
• Sheet mulching is easy and doesn’t require a ton of labor, and you can absolutely source everything you need through free or very inexpensive community sites.
• A few really great YouTube channels that focus on local, San Diego gardening that I recommend local gardeners watch: Epic Gardening, Next Level Gardening and Jacques in the Garden.
• If I had it to do over, I would prioritize California natives from the beginning because they are so hearty once established and bring such benefits to pollinators with their beautiful flowers.