Lawn-to-Garden Conversion in Sunnyvale, CA: From Brown Lawn to a Garden of Everlasting Blooms
A lawn might seem like the easiest landscaping choice—until drought, water bills, and patchy grass make it more of a burden than a benefit. That’s exactly what a Sunnyvale, California homeowner realized before contacting Water Efficient Gardens for help with her 926 square foot lawn-to-garden conversion.
They wanted to create a backyard garden that looked beautiful year-round, reduced water use, and welcomed pollinators and birds.
With our 10+ years of native landscaping expertise and deep knowledge of Santa Clara County's Landscape Rebate Program, we helped them transform her thirsty lawn into a flourishing, climate-resilient yard—all while earning a generous rebate for her eco-friendly upgrade.
Why Replace Your Lawn in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale, like many parts of California, is dealing with increasing drought pressure and long-term climate changes. Traditional lawns require a huge amount of water to stay green—up to 50 inches of irrigation per year, depending on the grass type.
That’s not just expensive; it’s unsustainable.
Switching to a native, drought-tolerant garden provides you with the following benefits:
Cut outdoor water use by up to 60–80%
Drastically reduce your monthly water bill
Stop contributing to stormwater runoff from over-irrigated lawns
Support native biodiversity
Create a healthy ecosystem in your own front yard
Can play a part in making your yard fire-resistant
Plus, Santa Clara County makes it easier than ever to make the switch with generous landscape rebates for residents who replace her lawn with a water-wise garden.
How to Qualify for a Lawn Conversion Rebate in South Bay
Before we dive into this yard conversion story, let’s review the South Bay lawn conversion rebate program offered by Valley Water and its qualification requirements.
Residents of Sunnyvale are eligible for landscape rebates up to $3,000 for lawn-to-garden conversions. Here's how it works:
$1–$3 per sq. ft. for lawn replacement, depending on project details
Rain garden or stormwater capture components can increase the rebate
At least 50% plant coverage with low-water-use plants
Sheet mulching or another eco-friendly method of lawn removal
We helped this Sunnyvale homeowner to meet the requirements by replacing her lawn with native and drought-tolerant plants, adding mulch, and using smart irrigation to conserve water efficiently.
Client Project Overview
Background
$1–$3 per sq. ft. for lawn replacement, depending on project details
Rain garden or stormwater capture components can increase the rebate
At least 50% plant coverage with low-water-use plants
Sheet mulching or another eco-friendly method of lawn removal
This Sunnyvale client is a passionate environmentalist. She sought to replace her 926-square-foot backyard lawn with a native garden. The design process began in October 2023 and took just one month to complete!
This Sunnyvale client is a passionate environmentalist. She sought to replace her 926-square-foot backyard lawn with a native garden. The design process began in October 2023 and took just one month to complete!
Her Lawn-to-Garden Conversion Journey
This was the homeowner’s second project with Water Efficient Gardens. They were initially impressed by her friend’s native garden we designed, and then had her own front yard designed first. That success gave her the confidence to convert the sideyard, which is actually part of her backyard.
Homeowner Goals & Motivation
Irene dreamed of a garden she could enjoy daily through her window—a peaceful, flower-filled space with a place to sit and relax. Inspired by a photo shared during the design consultation, she envisioned a meandering path lined with blooms that invited pollinators and created year-round beauty.
This was the homeowner’s second project with Water Efficient Gardens. They were initially impressed by her friend’s native garden we designed, and then had her own front yard designed first. That success gave her the confidence to convert the sideyard, which is actually part of her backyard.
Homeowner Goals & Motivation
Irene dreamed of a garden she could enjoy daily through her window—a peaceful, flower-filled space with a place to sit and relax. Inspired by a photo shared during the design consultation, she envisioned a meandering path lined with blooms that invited pollinators and created year-round beauty.
Landscape Rebate Assistance
The client wanted to take advantage of Valley Water’s Landscape Conversion Rebate, which would reimburse her with $2 per square foot of her 926-square-foot project. She opted for our landscape rebate assistance, which would help her apply and meet the requirements.
The client wanted to take advantage of Valley Water’s Landscape Conversion Rebate, which would reimburse her with $2 per square foot of her 926-square-foot project. She opted for our landscape rebate assistance, which would help her apply and meet the requirements.
Designing her California Native Wildlife Garden
Plant Choice
Each plant was carefully chosen not just for beauty, but for its ability to thrive in Sunnyvale’s Mediterranean climate and support local ecosystems.
The plant palette was curated for beauty, biodiversity, and resilience. All plants were California native except for Erigeron karvinskianus (Santa Barbara Daisy), a drought-tolerant favorite that flowers nearly year-round.
Ceanothus added spring color, supported pollinators, fixed nitrogen in the soil, and enhanced fire safety for the landscape.
The design balanced ecology and elegance.
Each plant was carefully chosen not just for beauty, but for its ability to thrive in Sunnyvale’s Mediterranean climate and support local ecosystems.
The plant palette was curated for beauty, biodiversity, and resilience. All plants were California native except for Erigeron karvinskianus (Santa Barbara Daisy), a drought-tolerant favorite that flowers nearly year-round.
Ceanothus added spring color, supported pollinators, fixed nitrogen in the soil, and enhanced fire safety for the landscape.
The design balanced ecology and elegance.
What is a Rain Garden Anyway—and Why Consider One?
A rain garden is a shallow, landscaped basin designed to capture and soak up rainwater from roofs, driveways, or patios. While this Sunnyvale yard wasn’t a fit for one due to downspout placement, rain gardens are a smart solution for many Bay Area properties.
Here are 4 ways rain gardens are important:
Help prevent localized flooding by slowing down runoff
Filter out pollutants before water reaches storm drains
Provide habitat for pollinators with native plants
Recharge groundwater and reduce the strain on municipal systems
The Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) provides an excellent guide to Stormwater Control for Small Projects. This is helpful reading if you’re interested in diving deeper before you consider rain garden installation in the Bay Area.
Help prevent localized flooding by slowing down runoff
Filter out pollutants before water reaches storm drains
Provide habitat for pollinators with native plants
Recharge groundwater and reduce the strain on municipal systems
Rain Garden Requirements for South Bay Homeowners
Valley Water has specific rain garden conversion requirements. From proper sizing and placement to the use of appropriate native plants, there’s a lot to get right.
That’s where expert help makes a difference.
At Water Efficient Gardens, we combine in-depth rebate knowledge with native landscape design expertise. We make sure your project checks every box—so you can create a beautiful, functional garden and secure the maximum rebate available.
Want to see an example? We were recently featured in Palo Alto Online for our work on rain gardens and sustainable landscaping in the Bay Area.
Valley Water has specific rain garden conversion requirements. From proper sizing and placement to the use of appropriate native plants, there’s a lot to get right.
That’s where expert help makes a difference.
At Water Efficient Gardens, we combine in-depth rebate knowledge with native landscape design expertise. We make sure your project checks every box—so you can create a beautiful, functional garden and secure the maximum rebate available.
Want to see an example? We were recently featured in Palo Alto Online for our work on rain gardens and sustainable landscaping in the Bay Area.
Installing the Native Garden
Now that you have some project background information, we’ll take you through the main components of installing this native garden in Sunnyvale.
Planting
Here are 2 steps we took for planting in this native garden:
1. Gather native plants – gathered the pre-selected native plants that thrive in Zone 10a and Zone 9b, since Sunnyvale, California straddles both USDA hardiness zones
2. Place native plants – we carefully placed the plants according to our 3D design and various required levels of shade, working with the homeowner to place them to her liking
Smart Irrigation and Drip Line Installation
To further support the drought-tolerant garden, we installed a drip irrigation system with emitters placed at each plant. This allows for:
Targeted watering right at the root zone
Significant water savings over traditional sprinklers
Healthier plants and minimal weed growth
Because this system is so efficient, it also helps the homeowner stay within water use limits—while keeping the garden lush and lively.
Targeted watering right at the root zone
Significant water savings over traditional sprinklers
Healthier plants and minimal weed growth
The Finished Lawn-to-Garden Conversion
The final result is a stunning front yard that feels both natural and intentional, with layered textures, vibrant flowers, and visible insect activity. What was once a flat lawn now invites life—pollinators buzz from bloom to bloom, and birds flit between shrubs.
The homeowner not only earned a rebate through Valley Water’s program, but they also gained peace of mind knowing her garden is resilient, beautiful, and part of the climate solution.
The homeowner not only earned a rebate through Valley Water’s program, but they also gained peace of mind knowing her garden is resilient, beautiful, and part of the climate solution.
Immediately after installation
1 year after the Sunnyvale lawn-to-garden conversion, filled out with native blooms!
2 years after
Lawn Conversion Testimonial from the Sunnyvale Homeowner
The Sunnyvale homeowner was in love with how we transformed her lawn into a sustainable landscape, sharing this review on our Google Business Profile:
“I’m really happy with my backyard California Native Garden designed by Shelkie at Water Efficient Gardens. I live in Sunnyvale. Less water, more butterflies and humming bees!”
➡️ Meet Shelkie Tao, Founder & Landscape Designer at Water Efficient Gardens.
The Sunnyvale homeowner was in love with how we transformed her lawn into a sustainable landscape, sharing this review on our Google Business Profile:“I’m really happy with my backyard California Native Garden designed by Shelkie at Water Efficient Gardens. I live in Sunnyvale. Less water, more butterflies and humming bees!”➡️ Meet Shelkie Tao, Founder & Landscape Designer at Water Efficient Gardens.
The Neighbors’ Reactions
The client later posted enthusiastically about the project on NextDoor, earning lots of positive reactions from her Sunnyvale neighbors. They even shared updated photos a year later, proud of how her garden had flourished over time – earning more than 120 likes!
The client later posted enthusiastically about the project on NextDoor, earning lots of positive reactions from her Sunnyvale neighbors. They even shared updated photos a year later, proud of how her garden had flourished over time – earning more than 120 likes!
Lawn Conversion Rebate Success
Water Efficient Gardens helped the client apply for Valley Water’s Landscape Conversion Rebate, securing $2 per square foot for her 926-square-foot project ($1,852). This significantly offset installation costs and made the transition to a native garden more accessible!
Water Efficient Gardens helped the client apply for Valley Water’s Landscape Conversion Rebate, securing $2 per square foot for her 926-square-foot project ($1,852). This significantly offset installation costs and made the transition to a native garden more accessible!
Ready for Your Own Lawn-to-Garden Conversion in Sunnyvale, California?
Whether your lawn is dying or you're just ready a sustainable landscaping approach, Water Efficient Gardens can help you replace your turf with a vibrant native garden. From rebate support to plant selection and irrigation installation, we make the process seamless.
We specialize in lawn-to-garden conversions in Sunnyvale and throughout the Bay Area. Book your free consultation today to find out how much you can save—and how your yard can become a haven for native beauty.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Whether your lawn is dying or you're just ready a sustainable landscaping approach, Water Efficient Gardens can help you replace your turf with a vibrant native garden. From rebate support to plant selection and irrigation installation, we make the process seamless.
We specialize in lawn-to-garden conversions in Sunnyvale and throughout the Bay Area. Book your free consultation today to find out how much you can save—and how your yard can become a haven for native beauty.
Schedule a Free Consultation