The 16th Annual Xeriscape Garden Tour

The 2017/2018 winter season has seen below-average rain and snowfall. Comparing January 2017 with January 2018 shows you just how little snowpack we have received this past season: January 2017 had 6.41 inches of rain and 64.68 inches of snow. Compare that to January 2018 with 2.65 inches of rain and only 6.1 inches of snow. The December to December comparison is even worse, with zero snow or rain in December of 2017 compared to 6.1 inches of rain and 18.11 inches of snow in December 2016. The bottom line…Big Bear Valley is looking at major drought conditions for the summer of 2018.

The 16th Annual Big Bear Valley Xeriscape Garden Tour, put on by the Sierra Club Big Bear Group, is asking the community to “Join the Drought-Resistance” to conserve water by creating and maintaining xeriscape landscapes. Tour participants will learn how drought resistant and native plants can be beautiful AND save water.

The tour will include the DWP’s Xeriscape Demonstration Garden on Fox Farm Road, in front of the Community Garden, with native plant expert Orchid Black on hand to answer questions. At this location, there will also be an Expo with sponsor booths, drought-tolerant plant giveaways, and water conservation information from DWP.

The tour will feature seven local homes that demonstrate the principles of xeriscape gardening, including a yard that is both xeriscape and fire wise, an important feature in our mountain community.

So, mark your calendars for the 16th annual Xeriscape Garden Tour to take place on Saturday, July 21st. Participants can begin the FREE self-guided tour anytime between 9 am and noon starting at Eminger’s Mountain Nursery, located at 41223 Big Bear Blvd. in Big Bear Lake, across the street from the Denny’s Restaurant.  A tour booklet, which includes the locations and directions for the tour stops, and helpful information on Xeriscape gardening in the mountains, will be handed out at the starting location. Once registered, participants will have until 4:00 pm to complete the self-guided driving tour of the homes in Big Bear Valley.

For more information please call or visit the website:
Contact: Tel: (909) 866-1067  Website: www.sierraclubbigbeargroup.com