Please Note:

Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in. We will be meeting in the Mitchell Room, which can be accessed via the Escondido Credit Union Parking Lot or the path along the southern edge of Grape Day Park. Scroll down for map of available parking locations.

The Garden Design class will be followed by a special presentation from 2025 Escondido WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner, Yannick Claerman, who will share his own California Friendly landscape story. Yannick’s garden features multiple planting zones of native and drought-tolerant plants, edible gardens, and even a succulent lawn. Graywater systems and a cistern for collecting rain runoff from his home’s rooftop double down on water efficiency and sustainability. Join us to hear all about it!

Itinerary:

• 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM: Check-in and light refreshments
• 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Garden Desgin class
• 11:30 AM - 11:40 AM: Short break
• 11:40 AM - 12:10 PM: 2025 Escondido WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner Presentation

Class Sponsored By:

Metropolitan Water District in partnership with the City of Escondido.

Class Description:

Ready to create a garden that’s both beautiful and climate-resilient? This design seminar will walk you through the process of planning a landscape that captures rainwater, conserves resources, and thrives with local conditions.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand and contour your landscape to capture and retain rainwater
• Calculate and site a rain garden for maximum benefits
• Create hydrozones to improve irrigation efficiency
• Choose climate-appropriate plants and group them for visual impact and function
• Integrate permeable hardscaping elements that support drainage and aesthetics
• Apply key design principles including “right plant, right place,” plant forms, accents, and color

By the end of the class, you’ll have the tools to develop a plant palette, sketch your layout, and design a landscape that’s sustainable, low-maintenance, and uniquely yours.