The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized Thomas McCarter as the district’s 2024 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner at its meeting today.

Mr. McCarter and his wife, Alice, moved into their current residence three years ago. Upon moving in, their yard was mostly a blank slate with a majority of the yard unplanted. Working together as a team, they began to transform their yard with Alice taking charge of the layout of their garden.

The McCarters’ landscape project was a labor of love; they began filling in their yard with planted areas, artfully combining succulent varieties including aloes, aeoniums, euphorbias, agaves, and various groundcovers. Included among the plantings are rocks, decorative wood, artwork, and even a raised planter “bed” headboard and all. Winding through their garden are decomposed granite pathways, allowing the couple to move about freely to enjoy their creation.

The McCarters’ landscape is mostly watered by a drip system and water collected in four rain barrels they installed during their landscape project. The couple is dedicated to caring for the environment and their on-going landscape project reflects their commitment to sustainable living. “It reminds us that we are walking our talk regarding healing the planet,” Mr. McCarter said of his garden. “It’s also a celebration of our marriage and working together”. Friends and neighbors also admire the McCarters’ yard when they visit.

The annual contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods of irrigation.

“Free regional WaterSmart landscape workshops are available online and in person to assist homeowners to upgrade their home’s landscape to reduce water bills,” said Sandra Sanchez, water conservation specialist. “Additionally, landscape equipment rebates, including those for rain barrels, are available to help with the cost.”

The district joined eleven other local agencies that held landscape contests this year, providing an opportunity to highlight residential water-wise landscapes throughout the region.  Participating agencies (besides Vista Irrigation District) include Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, San Dieguito Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, California American Water, Rincon Del Diablo Water District, and the cities of Escondido and Oceanside.

For more information about the contest and to see more examples of WaterSmart landscaping, visit www.landscapecontest.com.  Visit the district’s web site (www.vidwater.org) or call (760) 597-3160 to find out more about free landscape workshops and incentive programs.

Vista Irrigation District is a public agency governed by an elected five-member board.  The district provides water service to roughly 130,000 people in the city of Vista, and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of San Diego County.