One important sustainable feature is the garden’s rain water harvesting system. Lowering reliance on potable water, the system collects rain from the roof that would otherwise be wasted and stores it in three tanks with a combined 2,500 gallons of capacity. The captured water from the system supplies water to prominent water features located throughout the garden. Similarly, the units run on solar power, easing reliance on electricity from the California grid.

Further resource savings are demonstrated through the use of California-friendly plants. When combined with plant-nurturing mulch, compost and biosolid pellets (a fertilizer made from recycled wastewater solids that are produced at a treatment plant partially owned by Vallecitos), the plants are bolstered with moisture and nutrients. This eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, which can be harmful to the environment.

With the final complements of a weather-based irrigation controller display, shade structures constructed of durable aluminum instead of wood, dry riverbeds, artificial turf, micro-irrigation, and an artistic sculpture demonstrating the value of water, Vallecitos’ sustainable demonstration garden boasts the perfect blend to please aesthetically while not putting unnecessary additional demand on limited resources for the future.

In 2013, Vallecitos’ Sustainable Garden was recognized as a “Certified Wildlife Habitat”  by the National Wildlife Federation for providing food, water, cover and place for wildlife to raise their young. It was also recognized as a “Certified Earth Friendly Garden” by the Master Gardeners Association of San Diego County. In 2017, the garden was recognized as an "Ocean Friendly Garden" by the Surfrider Foundation.

In 2023, Vallecitos installed a Little Free Library on the north end of the garden. The District stocks this lending library throughout the year with various garden books to inspire residents to adopt a water-wise garden lifestyle.  

In 2024, Vallecitos partnered with the San Diego Audubon Society to create a California Native Plant Seed Library to ensure that our botanical heritage remains intact for future generations and supports bird species, pollinators, and other wildlife.  Nestled within the tranquil surroundings on the north side of the garden, the seed library serves as a beacon of hope for conservationists, gardeners, and nature enthusiasts alike.  Here, visitors are invited to explore, take, and plant seeds collected from native plants across the county and return seeds in the future to share with the community once the native plants are thriving in their own gardens.  The Native Seed Library and Little Free Library are available during normal business hours.  Learn more about the libraries...

The Sustainable Garden is one of the few locations in north San Diego County that demonstrates sustainability for all to visit.  Click here for more information or to enjoy a guided tour of the garden, email or contact our Conservation Department at (760) 744-0460.

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