The Otay Water District announced the winner of this year’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest, and “Nana’s Garden,” created by El Cajon resident Lois Scott, earned the title. Scott was recognized by the Otay Water District on July 5 with a certificate of recognition, a gift certificate to a local nursery of her choice, a yard sign, and other promotional items.
Scott, a retired registered nurse, converted what was once a green front lawn with rose bushes, transformed her home into a water-wise landscape, reducing her water usage by 41% after years of high-water usage, lack of rain, and an invasion of rabbits.
Scott applied for a rebate from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California in 2020 and received a $4,161 rebate from its Landscape Transformation Program in 2020. She used that rebate to remove 1,387 square feet of turf. Scott then applied for the San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program, that offered her free classes on upgrading her yard.
“I fell in love with all the different plants I was learning about in the class. With all the colors and textures, I couldn’t just limit my garden to a few plants,” said Scott, 64, and a grandmother. “I call my garden Nana’s Garden, full of lots of variation, just like my grandchildren. The fun part now is to sit back and enjoy the gentle breeze while watching the honeybees, butterflies, and hummingbirds have their feast in my garden.”
But Scott was not alone in building Nana’s Garden. Neighborhood kids, her best friend, a succulent fan, helped her plant native plants. A gardener improved her irrigation system of 19 sprinkler heads, leaving two open for drip irrigation, and provided a separate line and rain barrel water that helps water many of her plants.
Otay Board President Mark Roback, District 5, said in a press release that the district makes it a priority to provide resources for residential and commercial customers who are considering ways “to make water use a way of life.”
“Nana’s Garden is an inspiration to all on the benefits of installing water-wise yards that conserve our water resources,” he said.
To learn about turf replacement and water conservation resources, visit otaywater.gov/conservation. To learn more about the contest, visit landscapecontest.com.
