6919 Columbus Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91405

Description

This garden was retrofitted through a collaboration between Surfrider Foundation's West LA/Malibu Chapter, Selva International, G3/Green Gardens Group, and Los Angeles Beautification Team (LABT). It was funded by a grant from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. We did the retrofit through two hands-on workshops, with attendees coming from an introduction class hosted by LADWP. Any existing turf grass was removed before the first workshop by LABT.

Workshop #1 - soil was decompacted then shaped to create swales and basins. This allows rain runoff from rain gutter downspouts to flow into the swales and basins. Then the site was sheet mulched: laying compost, paper and mulch.

Workshop #2 - plants were installed. Native plants were used.

The homeowners will hand water to get the plants established.