Creating

 a  ZERO-­‐WATER  Garden  with  Preschoolers  

By  Ginny  Zywot,  Director,  Smart  Start  Preschool  in  Redondo  Beach,  CA  
 
 
Situation:    The  yard  was  in  desperate  need  of  a  makeover.    The  lawn  could  
either  be  entirely  dug  up  and  new  grass  planted  or  it  could  be  replaced  with  
a  totally  new  idea.    We  were  aware  of  living  in  a  place  where  water  
conservation  is  highly  advocated,  especially  due  to  the  long-­‐standing  and  
severe  drought.      
 
Our  Climate:    We  live  in  a  Mediterranean  climate  zone  where  
plants  must  withstand  rainy  winters,  long  dry  summers,  Santa  Ana  winds,  
sun  and  fog.    In  designing  our  water  conserving  drought  resistant  garden,  
we  choose  climate  appropriate  plants,  varieties  that  in  addition,  do  not  
need  pesticides  or  fertilizers  that  could  seep  into  our  ground  water  or  run  
off  into  the  ocean.  
 
Goal  for  the  new  yard:    Create  a  space  of  physical  beauty  that  is  in  
harmony  with  nature,  filled  with  drought  resistant  plants  to  conserve  water  
and  promote  wildlife,  and  which  includes  opportunities  for  the  children  to  
interact  with  the  garden  and  learn  from  it.  
 
The  Transformative  Process:      
 
1)    Throughout  the  following  weeks,  the  children  watched  as  little  by  
little  the  grass  was  removed,  by  hand  and  not  with  chemicals,  until  the  
entire  lawn  visibly  became  just  dirt.  
 
2)    We  consulted  with  a  friend,  Julie  Gonella,  a  former  Manhattan  Beach  
Botanical  Garden  President  who  helps  create  Earth-­‐friendly  garden  spaces  
in  the  community.    We  wanted  smaller  plants  that  would  not  spread  out  
and  get  too  big.    After  going  to  places  that  sold  drought  resistant  plants,  we  
chose  1)  clumps  of  ornamental  blue  fescue  grass,  2)  a  few  small  
flowering  salvia  bushes  to  invite  hummingbirds  into  the  garden,  3)  purple  
statice  for  some  height  and  to  also  provide  nectar,  and  4)  different  types  of  
succulents  e.g.  black  and  green  aeoniums,  golden  sedoms,  and  After  Glow  
escheveria.      
 
3)    In  addition  to  specific  plants  in  the  garden,  a  circular  path  was  
installed  using  round  walking  stones.  This  path  is  a  space  where  the  
children  can  enter  the  garden.    It  is  an  enticing  space  to  walk,  hop  and  
enjoy.    
 
4)    When  all  of  the  plants  and  stones  were  in  place,  several  inches  of  
organic  mulch  was  spread  onto  the  entire  former  lawn  area.  The  mulch  
impedes  weed  growth,  attracts  beneficial  insects  like  worms,  creates  a  
natural  fertilizer  as  it  breaks  down,  and  most  importantly,  helps  the  soil  
retain  moisture  for  the  plants.  All  these  elements  significantly  
contribute  toward  the  success  of  the  garden.  
 
5)    For  approximately  6  weeks,  the  plants  were  watered  a  few  times  a  week  
to  establish  their  growth.    Since  then  no  more  water  has  been  needed  to  
encourage  their  growth.    Now,  there  is  a  sense  of  harmony  where  the  
plants  are  beautiful  and  healthy  and  the  children's  presence  is  joyful.  
 
Impact  on  teaching  the  preschool  children  about  water  conservation:  
 
Every  day  the  children  interact  with  the  garden.    They  observe  how  no  
water  is  needed  to  sustain  the  plants  in  the  garden.  They're  seen  how  
plants  can  attract  wild  life  such  as  the  hummingbirds.  They  count  the  steps  
they  take  as  they  walk  along  the  circular  path.    To  the  children,  this  Earth-­‐
friendly  garden  is  a  teaching  model  of  how  to  create  beauty  and  harmony  
with  nature  while  conserving  water  and  promoting  wildlife.  In  addition,  
while  moving  in  this  zen-­‐like  space,  their  spirits  and  bodies  feel  the  joy  of  
exploring.