Contemporary Modesto yard goes faux for conservation

If the lawn outside Wayne and Traceé Harris’ east Modesto home looks shockingly green for a city that’s experiencing a severe drought, don’t be disturbed – all that turf is artificial.

The couple’s 1962 custom-built home at 905 Strathmore Drive boasts a clean, contemporary front yard with a nod to security and privacy, as well as water conservation.

It’s all come together to gain December Garden of the Month honors from the Modesto Garden Club.

The Harrises, who bought the home seven years ago, created the outdoor design themselves, according to a garden club news release. An enclosed front courtyard takes advantage of technology with a camera to help beef up with security.

Outside the privacy walls – set off by a geometric gate and similarly designed mailbox – are three artificial turf areas created to resemble putting greens. The greens were designed by framing and leveling the slope of the yard with  3/8 -inch steel plates; they contain 17 tons of granite fill with a top layer of crushed granite, covered by the artificial turf.

Plants were selected not just for aesthetics, but for limited water consumption as well. They include Loropetalum (Chinese witch hazel or Chinese fringe) and agave in a front planter for greenery and color; two brush cherry trees for height, Green Beauty boxwood hedges; and two fruitless olives, kept well-manicured to add to the contemporary feel of the house and landscape.

It’s all highlighted after dark by LED lighting.

Although sprinklers have been installed, the couple water everything by hand. During summer’s hottest days, the plants are happy with 25 gallons of water per week, according to the news release – including water the Harrises capture from their showers.

This story was originally published November 24, 2015 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Contemporary Modesto yard goes faux for conservation."