Valley Wood Park offers space for drought-tolerant and pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Nestled inside a residential neighborhood off Robb Drive in Northwest Reno, Valley Wood Park Waterwise Garden is abuzz with pollinators and birds, drought-tolerant plants, and food and herb gardens. Since 2016, this demonstration garden project — spearheaded by Tom Stille, co-owner and landscape architect, contractor, and horticulturist at River School Farm in Reno — has featured a landscaping alternative to water-hungry lawns.
Originally an acre of land covered by turf grass, Valley Wood offers a glimpse of the future of landscaping in our area. Visitors can explore eight different gardens growing various trees, shrubs, and flowers and be surrounded by flora and fauna that thrive in a high-desert environment that uses 50 percent less water than lawns.
“As our region is experiencing less rainfall and higher temperatures, we need to learn how to create beautiful urban landscapes the sustainable way,” Stille explains.
Other partner organizations in this project are Truckee Meadows Water Authority, City of Reno Parks and Recreation, Local Food Network, Help Save the Bees Foundation, Northern Nevada Permaculture, Lahontan Audubon Society, Nevada Bugs and Butterflies, and Sierra Garden Club.
“Working together, we want to help homeowners convert their lawn to something that uses less water and is biodiverse,” Stille adds.
Pollinator Pathway
In the spirit of biodiversity, most of the gardens are planted with species that provide nectar and pollen. The trails are lined with linden, catalpa, and Washington hawthorn trees; flowerbeds feature edible daylilies as well as poppies and perennials; and bushes of elderberries and raspberries abound, all designed with one goal in mind: to attract pollinators.
“We try for [plants] that have early flowers, flowers in the summer, and flowers in the autumn,” Stille notes. “The idea is to provide nectar and pollen early to late in the seasons to provide for native bees, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.”
These pollinators thrive in the garden. The hope among the partner organizations is that the idea will catch on to further expand the pathway and that homeowners will opt for more native landscaping. Seasonal tours led by Stille enable folks to learn more about Valley Wood Park Waterwise Garden and how they can convert their turf grass lawns into beautiful environments that use less water and promote a healthy ecosystem. Tour dates are May 21, July 9, and Sept. 3, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. beginning at the park gazebo. For details, visit Riverschoolfarm.org or call 775-690-4261.
With a little over an acre of property, Heidi Bethel enjoys the scents of wildflowers and lavender growing in her garden and is eager to add more native species to the mix this spring.
