2025 WaterWise Garden Contest Winner

Santa Barbara residents Fred and Janice Maggiore are the 2025 winners of the WaterWise Garden Recognition Contest, honored for their dedication to sustainable, handcrafted landscaping. The Maggiores gradually replaced their original lawn with a vibrant garden of water wise plants, a 750-gallon rainwater harvesting system, and creative personal touches, including a solar-powered fountain and whimsical fish sculpture. The Maggiores hand-water the garden, maintaining a close connection to the landscape. The result is a welcoming, eco-friendly space that reflects their passion for conservation and artistic expression.

In Santa Barbara, an average of fifty percent of the water used at homes goes toward landscape irrigation. Water wise gardens not only save money on water bills, but are also colorful and easily maintained. To learn more about their garden, visit our Garden Contest page. For garden inspiration and to see the 2025 garden contest winners from all over Santa Barbara County, visit WaterWiseSB.org/GardenContest.