Want to see how water-wise gardens grow? The Sierra Club Big Bear Group presents the 10th annual Xeriscape Garden Tour Saturday, July 14.
There are seven principles of xeriscape gardening: planning a design, soil analysis, appropriate plant selection, turf planning, efficient irrigation, mulching and maintenance. The tour showcases homes that exemplify these principles.
In 2011, the tour brought more than 600 people in touch with Big Bear Valley homeowners who shared knowledge and tips on how to create drought-tolerant gardens using native and low-water use plants.
This year, the tour features six gardens, two nurseries and the Flower Show and Plant Sale at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. Here are a few highlights.
See a FireWise home showcasing how to be drought-tolerant and fire-safe at the same time, then listen to native plant expert Orchid Black at Hunter’s Nursery answer questions about the benefits of native plants. A scavenger hunt has been added to the itinerary at each home where kids and adults can search for unique, highlighted garden art or features.
Tour attendees also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite home for the People’s Choice Award. The WaterWise Award is given for the yard that uses the least amount of water, and the Jim Otterstrom Earth Home Garden Award is presented for the garden that creates the most natural setting including but not limited to native plants.
The late Otterstrom was a native plant proponent. He believed native plants were the best way to landscape a yard and his garden portrayed that belief.
In previous years, Otterstrom and his wife, Peggy, handed out seeds, sage advice and lemonade, making their yard a perennial favorite on the tour.
The free, self-guided tour begins at Eminger’s Mountain Nursery anytime between 9 a.m. and noon. Tour booklets, a map to the locations and directional signs help guide attendees. There are booths available with information on composting, water conservation and native plants.
Sierra Club members are at each location to guide arrivals and point out some of the key features at that home. The tour wraps up at 4 p.m.
Sponsors for the event are the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency, Bear Valley Fire agencies, city of Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City Community Services District, Big Bear Lake Department of Water and Power, Eminger’s Mountain Nursery, Hunter’s Nursery, MDMRA Master Composters, NativeScapes and TSL Landscaping.
Eminger’s Mountain Nursery is at 41223 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. The Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center is at 39707 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake. For more information and photos from previous tours, visit the Sierra Club’s website, www.sierraclubbigbeargroup.org.
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