Lawn Conversion

Lawn Conversions

The Arboretum and Public Garden, together with Campus Planning, identifies little-used lawns throughout campus that have potential for conversion to drought-tolerant, region-appropriate landscapes. Learn more about these various conversions below.

La Rue Road median update

Early in 2014, teams from the Arboretum and Public Garden, including Grounds and Landscape Services, assembled to plant the northernmost section of the La Rue Road median with plants selected for their seasonal interest, water-wise qualities and long-term durability. When selecting the plants used for this project, Ellen Zagory, director of public horticulture, also wanted to make sure the flora blended well with surrounding landscapes.

Oak grove meadow conversion update 10.25.12

The mix of meadow grasses planted last year to replace a high-maintenance, high-water lawn west of the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove continues to thrive. See photo below. (Capturing the majestic oaks before they lose their leaves also helps highlight the dramatic makeover!)

La Rue Road Median Conversion 10.14.11

Grounds staff have sprayed the turf in the median on La Rue Road and you should see the grass turning brown.  In a couple of weeks, the turf will be removed and work will begin on retrofit of the irrigation from spray to drip.  The Arboretum staff has prepared a list of plants to be considered as CPCR Landscape Architects begin the design.  Watch for heavy equipment in November!

Shields Oak Grove meadow: prepped and seeded

Last week the UC Davis Public Garden team put the finishing touches on the campus’s first landscape conversion project — the Shields Oak Grove Meadow. Congratulations to everyone involved in this team effort and to project manager Andrew Fulks, Director of the UC Davis Putah Creek Riparian Reserve!