Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase highlights water conservation at Sunday’s tour

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A few days before the Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase is set to take place, Sherri Akers, one of the event organizers, is gearing up for the Sunday tour. ‘Last year, I had more than 600 people visit my garden,’ she said, referring to the self-guided tour of drought-tolerant gardens. ‘It’s like a giant block party with people walking and riding their bikes,’ she said. ‘I had 20 bikes in my front yard at one point a year ago.’

Created by the Mar Vista Green Committee as a way to celebrate Earth Day, the showcase is viewed by organizers as a way to inspire other gardeners and communities to consider water conservation in their own yards. Clearly, their philosophy is catching on: The event featured 44 gardens last year. ‘This year we have 80,’ Akers said.

Even on a bike, 80 gardens would be a daunting endeavor. So we asked Akers to offer some tips on how to prepare for Sunday’s tour: ‘If people have older parents or kids, they can easily walk a few blocks and see a handful of gardens,’ she said. Six walking maps will be available at 3972 Coolidge Ave., but you can create your own self-guided map with your particular area of interest -- rain barrels, succulents, edibles -- by clicking on Google maps on the event’s website.

Gardens are open from 2 to 6 p.m. and admission is free. There will be literature and giveaways from the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants, Tree People, City of Los Angeles Stormwater Program, Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Gardens and many more.

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credits: Sherri Akers