George Hopwood and Joseph Navarro were recognized as the Santa Barbara 2021 winners for the countywide WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest for their beautiful garden featuring a variety of native and water wise plants, a dry creek bed that directs rain water from their downspout into the garden, and efficient drip irrigation. Their favorite aspect of the transformation has been watching the landscape mature over time, as well as no longer having to use a push mower to cut the former lawn! Learn more about their garden here.
In 2020, The Poole-Hickey Family was awarded as the winner for the City of Santa Barbara and the countywide winner for their beautiful garden featuring rain barrels, downspouts to the yard, and water wise plants that attract native insects and birds. The Poole-Hickey Family was also named the Better Homes & Gardens' 2020 America's Best Front Yard Contest winner. Learn more about their garden here.
The 2013 WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest is Christine Nolte! Christine won the City award and the Countywide award for her beautiful and sustainable front garden that incorporates rainwater catchment, native plants, butterfly habitat, permeable hardscape, and efficient irrigation. Learn more about her garden here.
For more garden inspiration from local home gardens visit our Virtual Garden Tours & Plant Database
To see entries from all over Santa Barbara County visit WaterWiseSB.org/GardenContest