Lawn-to-Garden Conversion in Hayward, California: a Smart, Sustainable Upgrade
A lush, green lawn might look great—until it doesn’t. When a Hayward, California homeowner noticed their once-thriving lawn turning patchy, brown and lifeless, they decided it was time for a lawn-to-garden conversion that would be both visually appealing and environmentally responsible.
By leveraging EBMUD’s Super Rebate and our close to 10 years of native landscaping expertise at Water Efficient Gardens, they were able to transform their front yard into a drought-resistant native plant and succulent oasis—all while receiving financial incentives for their eco-friendly upgrade.
Before the Hayward lawn-to-garden conversion
How to Qualify for a Lawn-to-Garden Conversion Rebate in East Bay
Before we dive into the story of this yard conversion, let’s review the East Bay lawn conversion rebate program and its qualification requirements.
The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) offers two rebate options for lawn replacement:
Standard Rebate ($1 per sq. ft.)
Super Rebate ($2 per sq. ft.), which requires homeowners to follow additional ecological best practices, including:
Sheet mulching to remove grass
At least 50% native plant coverage
Project completion during the rainy season (September–February)
Since our Hayward client wanted to maximize their rebate savings, we designed a landscape that met the Super Rebate requirements while delivering a vibrant, low-maintenance garden that drastically reduces water consumption (and therefore water bills).
Designing a Native and Succulent Garden
The homeowners had a clear vision: they loved colorful plants and succulents and wanted their new garden to bloom year-round. To achieve this, we:
Selected native plants with staggered bloom times for continuous seasonal color
Created a designated succulent area for visual contrast and texture
Integrated a rain garden to capture runoff and support groundwater recharge
Added natural stone slabs to enhance the overall aesthetic
During our site visit, we noticed a downspout near the front yard, making it the perfect location for a rain garden. The homeowners weren’t familiar with the concept at first, but once they learned how it would reduce runoff, prevent flooding, and attract pollinators, they embraced the idea enthusiastically.
What is a Rain Garden?
A rain garden is a shallow, strategically placed depression that collects and absorbs rainwater, reducing stormwater runoff. Here are 4 key benefits of a rain garden:
Reduces flooding risk by slowing water runoff
Filters pollutants before they enter storm drains
Supports pollinators with native plants
Recharges groundwater to help conserve water resources
The Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association also offers a handy guide to Stormwater Control for Small Projects. This is helpful reading if you’re interested in diving deeper before beginning your Bay Area rain garden project.
Rain Garden Requirements for Bay Area Homeowners
Valley Water has specific rain garden conversion requirements.
These must be met in order to qualify for the rebate. If these are not followed to a “T,” a homeowner might not receive the rebate after participating in a lawn-to-garden conversion program.
This is why it’s important to hire a native landscaping company in the Bay Area that offers the following:
deep knowledge of the requirements
rebate assistance
professional design experience
native plant expertise
At Water Efficient Gardens, we’re proud to be recognized as one of the leading rain garden designers in the Bay Area! Check out our feature in Palo Alto Online on installing rain gardens and available rebates.
Why Sheet Mulching is the Best Method for Lawn Removal
Traditional lawn removal methods—like sod cutting or rototilling—can be labor-intensive, disruptive to soil health, and environmentally harmful. Instead, we used sheet mulching, an eco-friendly method that naturally composts grass in place.
The Benefits of Sheet Mulching
Here are the 3 main benefits of sheet mulching:
Prevents landfill waste – Unlike sod removal, this method allows grass to break down naturally without contributing to methane emissions.
Preserves soil health – Unlike rototilling, which disrupts soil microbes, fungi and earthworms, compacts soil, and increases erosion, sheet mulching retains essential nutrients.
Reduces carbon footprint – Avoids the need for fossil-fueled machinery, keeping emissions lower.
Step-by-Step Sheet Mulching Process
Outline & Dig the Rain Garden – We first mapped out and prepared the rain garden space.
Collect Cardboard – Homeowners collected enough recycled cardboard to cover the entire lawn area.
3. Lay Down the Cardboard – The cardboard was placed over the entire lawn.
4. Water the Layers – Wetting the cardboard accelerates decomposition (rainy season timing is ideal for this step).
5. Add Compost – A thick layer of compost (about 2" deep) was applied to enrich the soil and prepare for planting.
6. Let it Sit – The area was left for a couple weeks to allow decomposition before planting began.
Smart Irrigation & Native Planting
Native plants are adapted to California’s Mediterranean climate and have winter plant growth, we timed the installation for optimal conditions. Here are 3 steps we took for planting and irrigation in this native garden:
Design with native plants – During the design process, we selected native plants that are local to the Hayward area, in addition to the succulents. Before installation, we sourced the native plants from local specialty nurseries.
2. Place native plants – we carefully placed the plants according to our 3D design
3. Add drip irrigation – every plant received its own irrigation
Benefits of Drip Irrigation for Each Plant in a Native Garden
Here are 3 benefits of irrigating each plant in a native garden:
Precise water delivery – Direct-to-root watering minimizes waste
Healthier native plants – Consistent moisture prevents overwatering these drought-resistant species
Lower maintenance – Once installed, the system requires less upkeep.
Installing the Rain Garden
To install the rain garden in this project, we dug out a shallow area, and a channel to connect it with the downspout.
Then, we planted plants in the rain garden. Plants for the rain garden need to be selected specifically, which can cope with both dry and wet conditions well.
Finally, we added in the pebbles to prevent the rain garden’s erosion during the rainy season. A brand new rain garden is done!
The Finished Lawn-to-Garden Conversion
The result? A stunning, sustainable front yard that uses a fraction of the water of a traditional lawn while qualifying for the EBMUD Super Rebate.
Lawn Conversion Testimonial from the Hayward Homeowners
The Hayward homeowners were thrilled, sharing this review on our Google Business Profile:
“We worked with Shelkie to replace our burned-out front lawn. Shelkie was very efficient and kept our project moving. We were impressed with the design service, and she helped us navigate the rebate process. Our lawn was transformed into a beautiful garden in less than a month.”
Ready for Your Own Lawn-to-Garden Conversion in East Bay?
If you’re thinking about replacing your Hayward lawn with a drought-tolerant, native garden, Water Efficient Gardens makes the process easy. From custom garden design to rebate assistance and installation, we handle everything so you can enjoy a beautiful, water-wise landscape without the hassle.
We specialize in lawn-to-garden conversions in Hayward, California, and throughout the Bay Area. Get started today—schedule your free consultation to see how much you can save and how effortlessly your yard can be transformed into a sustainable oasis.
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