By Lookout Staff

May 10, 2010 --The City is allowing residents to decide which designs, among a selection of finalists, will be used for three “sustainable demonstration gardens” at the Santa Monica Airport. The program is part of an effort to “champion all the things green,” according to a City press release.

Twenty-seven designs were recently submitted to the City. A panel of experts from the fields of landscape design, landscape architecture and green building materials, as well as a representative from the Santa Monica Airport, evaluated the submissions. The panel narrowed the entries to nine finalists, three for each of the three demonstration garden plots.

"A lot of people want beautiful gardens, but it can be a daunting task to figure out where to begin," said Russell Ackerman, a landscape specialist with Santa Monica’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment. "Not only will our local community be able to vote for their favorite garden design, they'll be able to get the winning designs for free."

According to the City, the designs are simple to recreate.

They are sustainable water-efficient templates incorporating outdoor living room features, elements from Mediterranean and shade gardens, climate appropriate plants, permeable paving, veggie gardens, play areas, drip irrigation and lawn alternatives.

The winning designs will be offered free for download from the City's website. Some of the important elements included in each design package are:

• designs for typical yard sizes in the Ocean Park, Sunset Park, Pico and North of Montana
• neighborhoods;
• a complete plant list with options for different color flowering plants and specifications for installation;
• a complete list of irrigation equipment and specifications for installation;
• a list of local nurseries and irrigation supply stores that will provide the complete package for the design of your choice;
• a list of sustainable landscapers that can help if you require assistance.

Voting continues through the end of the month at www.sustainablesm.org/landscape.