No resource is as vital to California’s urban centers, agriculture, industry, recreation, scenic beauty, and environmental preservation as its water.
Back in the days of the Gold Rush, Mark Twain (Samuel Clemmons) was quoted as saying: “Whiskey is for drinkin’, water is for fightin’ over.”
Throughout California’s history, battles have been waged over who gets how much of this precious resource. While the echoes of rifle shots and dynamite blasts are part of the state’s distant past, the fight continues today in courtrooms, the state Legislature, and the U.S. Congress.
With the population growth, water demands have only grown over the last 10 years. Many people have begun to look for different ways to reduce, reuse and recycle water. Here in Seal Beach that challenge still remains.
Some people realize this and are using rocks, native plants, lawn substitutes, etc. in their yards and gardens. The following is my story and journey towards reduce, reuse and recycle at my home.
When my yard needed a makeover I decided I was going to use these elements as an example of what can be done.
To begin, my mostly solar-powered golf cart has it’s own driveway made up of old shredded tires. If you ever walk past it, I urge you to bounce on the rubber.
All of the plants in my yard are now low water and require very little water and little care. There is Mexican Fan Grass at the parkway and Silver Carpet as a lawn substitute.
I have sentimental rose bushes located in front of my office windows. (There were two dear ladies that passed a few years ago from cancer so I planted these roses in their memory).
The newest feature is the waterfall. It is made of 100-percent recycled Styrofoam. Yes, the stuff that we will never get rid of. If you have ever done a beach cleanup, Styrofoam is the hardest thing to clean up. A local man takes the stuffing inside the TVs, stereos, etc., and transforms them into beautiful waterfalls.
There is also a piece that is from Bixby Ranch and was originally used by a blacksmith to make horseshoes.
It was originally owned by one of the postmaster generals of Seal Beach who happened to live on Coastline, and then passed it down neighbor to neighbor on Coastline.
At night I use solar lights to brighten the path and illuminate the house. I use rainwater via a rain barrel to water the plants.
The Flowering Reed fencing adds a bit more privacy and is a cool effect.
All of this makes for an eco-friendly garden. I encourage everyone to use this Earth day to rethink how you can do things just a little different and have a big effect on our environment.
Laura Ellsworth is the environmental chair for the Seal Beach Lions Club.
