The contest, TMWA’s second annual, based its judging on garden aesthetics, irrigation, plant selection and mulches. Contestants sent in photos and descriptions of their gardens. And the entries were reviewed by representatives from Rail City Garden Center.

First place winner in the homeowner-designed category is a garden that’s been in the making for five years.

“It all seemed to come together this year,” says Mark Hebert of the garden that he and Marj Hebert designed for their northwest Reno home.

“We’ve replanted it many times over the years,” adds Marj Hebert, and there’s more planting to come. “I know what I’m doing with my winnings – more plants for the backyard.”

“And new houseplant containers for indoors,” adds Mark Hebert.

The couple won a $500 gift certificate to Rail City Garden Center for their entry. Their garden won on its beauty, its lush combination of a recycling water feature, perennials, bamboo, native grasses, and dry creek bed.

But what’s really impressive, says Mark Hebert, “is the stuff you can’t see.”

An underground gravel pit near the street percolates any possible runoff deep into the ground. Gravel-filled holes dug near trees (and then covered over) provide deep-watering to encourage downward root growth. The original lawn grass has been completely scraped away; the shaded sitting areas and water-rimmed patio that replaced it provide both lower water bills and a backyard haven for the Heberts. Also, it’s a bird paradise, designed to attract birds both in its shrubs and its trees.

See more photos of the winning entries on TMWA’s Web site:
www.tmwalandscapeguide.com.