Couple Creates a Low-Maintenance WaterSmart Landscape Ideal for Retirement
mary had a little lamb
Catherine and David Spence earned the “Best in District” award in the Otay Water District’s 2025 WaterSmart Landscape Contest for transforming their side yard into low-maintenance landscaping to suit their dynamic lifestyle after retirement.
Catherine and David Spence are proud winners of the WaterSmart Landscape Contest.
In 1998, the Spences purchased their home in Chula Vista’s emerging Sunbow community. After years of being rented to tenants, they made it their retirement home in 2018. At the time, the yard mainly consisted of grass and a few non-native shrubs that demanded excessive water and maintenance.
Before retiring, the Spences dedicated more than 30 years to the U.S. Department of Defense, supporting military members and their families. Catherine is the daughter of a Navy veteran and David is an Army veteran himself. Today, they stay active by volunteering, kayaking, golfing, hiking, biking, and traveling. With such a full schedule, transforming their yard into a low-maintenance landscape was the ideal choice.
The Spences’ yard before relandscaping.
They found inspiration in showcase homes with drought-tolerant landscaping, captivated by the beauty and simplicity of the low-water-use plants. In 2020, they enrolled in the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover classes provided by the San Diego County Water Authority and its member agencies. They also visited the Water Conservation Garden and joined The Native Plant Garden Tour to explore additional design ideas.
In 2023, the Spences received a $2,376 rebate from the SoCal Water$mart Turf Replacement Program for replacing 792 square feet of turf in their side yard and implementing water-efficient features.
“Since we did not have the physical capability to do the work ourselves, I researched and hired expert landscape designer Angel Carrasco, with Promised Path Landscaping, to help us design our dream landscape with native and drought-tolerant plants that are pollinator-friendly,” said Catherine. “We like that we are saving water along with having lower water bills.”
The Spences’ yard after relandscaping.
The project included installing a Hunter Wi-Fi irrigation controller, replacing their sprinklers with a drip system, and applying gorilla hair shredded redwood mulch. Two rain barrels now provide water for potted plants, a decorative fountain and birdbaths, which attract a variety of wildlife.
One rain barrel captures water for the side yard, while the second barrel is located down in their sloped backyard. It is connected all the way up to the home’s rain gutter by an extended downspout.
The garden also features a selection of low-water-use plants, including museum palo verde, Carolina cherry, western redbud, autumn sage, pride of Madeira, Spanish lavender, echeveria, kangaroo paw, blue fescue, lamb’s ears, and cordyline australis.
The Spences’ landscape is in the District’s division 2, which Otay board member Delfina Gonzalez represents.
The backyard is in the next phase of their landscaping upgrades.
“Their garden enhances the beauty of our community with native, water-wise plants while also supporting local wildlife and helping our ecosystem thrive, all with minimal water use,” said Gonzalez. “We look forward to seeing their garden continue to flourish and inspire future conservation initiatives.”
Since their turf replacement project, the Spences have reduced their overall water use by about 39%. And they are not stopping there — the couple plans to make more water-saving upgrades to the backyard and attend landscaping classes at the Water Conservation Garden as they prepare.
The District recognized the Spences at its September board meeting with a certificate of recognition, a gift certificate to a local nursery of their choice, a yard sign, and other promotional items.
Learn more about the annual contest.
Learn about turf replacement rebates and water conservation resources.
