Richmond Low Water Demo Garden
The Richmond Low Water Demo Garden is a water-efficient demonstration garden that contains six distinct areas, each with a theme featuring low-water and drought-tolerant plants. The themes are:
- California Native Garden
- Habitat Garden
- Mediterranean Garden
- Succulent Garden
- Mixed California Native and Mediterranean
- Mixed Mediterranean and California Native
The garden is tended by the volunteers of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County. We are out working in the garden every Friday from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm. You're welcome to stop by and chat.
Currently, the Native California area of the garden is in its full glory! This section was sheet-mulched and planted August of 2019. We're quite proud of how well it represents the splendor of California native vegetation. Come on out and have a look. The garden is always open to be appreciated and adored by the public.
Got questions about what we're doing? Contact us at: mgcc.richmonddry@gmail.com
The garden is located next to the Richmond Public Library at the Richmond Civic Center, on Macdonald Avenue between Civic Center Plaza and 27th Street.
The Richmond Low Water Demo Garden was installed in August 2005, as a joint project of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and the City of Richmond.
Originally named the "Richmond Demonstration Garden," it was maintained by the City of Richmond until January 2018, when it was adopted by the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County. Our UC Master Gardener volunteers began applying their TLC in May 2018.
The Richmond Low Water Garden promises to be a hub for public education and demonstration of sustainable and water-efficient practices in the landscape. The City of Richmond and EBMUD are still very much involved in a mutual mission and partnership with the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa. They are working together on behalf of the public and the stewardship of our valuable resources and landscapes.
The garden itself will feature examples of plantings that can be locally obtained, and are proven winners in the unique climate of western Contra Costa County. It will represent the beautiful aesthetics of plants that are adapted to our summer-dry state and to local conditions.
UC Master Gardeners plan to hold workshops, classes, and talks at the garden and at the Richmond Public Library, next door to the garden. They are proud to call this garden their own, and feel up to the task of achieving their mission through their own efforts, and the collaborative efforts of their partners, EBMUD and the City of Richmond.