WaterWise Demonstration Garden
The Garden Design Demonstrates
The Rio Rancho WaterWise Demonstration Garden (WWG) in Rio Rancho, New Mexico is a cooperative effort with the City of Rio Rancho, the Sandoval County Master Gardeners, partnering with the Rio Grande Basin Initiative, Local businesses and Community Volunteers. The WaterWise Garden encompasses approximately an acre divided into different gardening templates easy to replicate in the homeowner's landscape.
The Garden originated in 2001 with award winning updates and expansions 2006-2008. SCMG volunteers began an Olla Garden Project in 2009 as part of a water harvesting/water saving experiment with New Mexico State University and the City of Rio Rancho.
The Garden illustrates over an acre of the following features:
- Drip, sprinkle, spray and bubble irrigation systems
- An Olla demonstration project in works
- Bark, pecan, wood chip, crusher fine and gravel mulches
- Water harvesting techniques: dry creek beds, swales, berms and drain ways to catchment areas
- Slope planting techniques
- Paths connecting gardens illustrating various material choices
Gardening by the Yard hosted by Paul James aired a filming of the gardens in 2009!
The WaterWise Demonstration Garden is located at 950 Pinetree Rd SE in Rio Rancho, New Mexico between the Post Office and the Esther Bone Library. See Map.
Work in the WWG is year round with exceptions: weather and holidays.
Meeting time is Saturday mornings.
Summer hours are 8am - 11 am.
Winter hours are 9 am - 11 am.
Hours vary depending on activities.
Volunteers work as a group to accomplish goals established by the volunteers.
Weekly emails are sent to volunteers detailing gardening activities and schedule.
Call or email Linda Poe to be added to weekly email list.
Please visit the WWG anytime, talk to MG volunteers, learn about volunteer activities and opportunities.
The WaterWise Garden volunteers will discuss the Olla Garden, water catchments, the varied garden venues and how they are designed, various mulches, different irrigation systems and much, much more.
The WWG is certified National Wildlife backyard Habitat and a Monarch Way Station and much, much more.
Not sure what to bring with you to work in the Garden?
Suggestions: Shovel, gloves, trowel, rake, hoe, broom, weed digger, pruners, wheelbarrow and drinking water
Be sure to see the Rio Rancho WATER UTILITY Van with a picture of the WaterWise Demonstration Garden painted on it.
WaterWise Demonstration Garden Award
Rio Rancho WaterWise Demonstration Garden is awarded:
Search for Excellence is the recognition program of Master Gardener volunteer work throughout the United States and Canada. Search for Excellence has seven categories in which Master Gardeners can demonstrate their outstanding contributions to their communities. All SFE applications must show that significant learning took place, whether by the Master Gardeners or the general public they were involved with. All volunteer projects done by Master Gardeners are significant to their communities, but not all are Search for Excellence projects. The Search for Excellence is designed to recognize outstanding group projects, not an individual who does outstanding work.
For more information click IMG Search for Excellence
The IMG,SFE Award is for efforts in the WaterWise Garden from 2006-2008.
Volunteers include: Peter Colton, Janell Dunn, Elisa Flecha, Warren Gillett, Brooke Grant, Rebecca Hunter, Donnye Meinz, Loren Meinz, Russ Nagel, Charles Poe, Linda Poe, Jae Riebe, Otto Stangl, Anne Tellez, Georg Vedeler, Margaret Vedeler, Nancy Wade, Janet Wilder, Holly Wilkenfeld, Charlotte Wilson and Tom Wilson.