Ponds and Waterfalls of Earth Retreat Gardens

Category: Water Features, Ponds & Aquatics

Garden Design Project: WTFDFI001

Ponds, cascading waterfalls, swimming pools, stone walls and terraced beds with an extraordinary array of plant life can be found in the Earth Retreat Center. This project has created the perfect garden to go to relax and enjoy the natural wildlife at its best.

Captured and reused rainwater cascades down a 60 foot waterfall between terraced beds filled with vegetables, herbs and native ferns. A series of bridges cross the waterfalls between terraces. The waterfall empties into one of seven biological ponds which are swimmable and home to native frogs and salamanders. Native iris douglasiana and other plants which were removed during construction were recycled to new locations on site.

This Biological waterfall, one of several on site is run by solar pumps and can function at different volumes. The waterfalls have become a major draw to birds and wildlife as well as people. The cascading water creates a tremendous variety of sound as it travels over stones and through small pools.

A favourite gathering space for retreat groups which also serves as a meditation space. Individual visitors quietly enjoy the spiral walk through a low water meadow. Iris douglasiana and Iris ensata as well as native ferns have been located in seep areas adjacent to the circle. The pathway leads from the central gathering area to a biological cool dip pond as well as deck with wood fired hot tub and outdoor shower supported by a large redwood stump. The stone and boulder bench made of local materials from the bay area provides sculptural year round seating.

This gathering area is under the shade of oaks. The seat wall retains the hillside while providing usability and the low water meadow grass floor keeps the space simple. Stone steps form amphitheatre seating for teaching groups while water from an upper pond cascades through the area down to the next pond. The visitor has the feeling of sitting in a water temple. All the water has been captured on site.

Solar energy powers all the pond and waterfall pumps as well as the irrigation clock. Some of the solar panels sit adjacent to the greenhouse and others top the chicken coop. This is the power station for the property. Also the chicken manure is incorporated into the compost for planting. Sculpture is situated throughout the property to surprise and delight. Steps between two of the ponds can be seen in the glow of the California light.

Stone steps and dry stone walls lead from one pond and sitting area to the next. California poppies, daffodils, lupin and native grasses like meadow barley and festuca californica have been planted on the hillside as well as a variety of ceanothus and archtostahpylos and tough herbaceous plants like tuscan blue rosemary and lavender.

Stone landing detail of recycled glass mosaic inlaid in the shape of a heart.

Earth Retreat is a corporation and retreat center located in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. The deeper intention of Earth Retreat is to provide experiences which open and connect people to the natural world. Located on the property is a lodge as well as cabins and campsites. What was lacking was outdoor usable space. The terrain for the most part is very steep and had been previously logged, deterring visitors from using and exploring the central space. There was also limited opportunity to expand planting or incorporate water features due to the poor water producing well on the property. The challenge was to make the central seven acre area usable and beautiful and provide a source of water for irrigation. Everything was to be done organically and with local materials whenever possible.

We began by locating sites for seven large swimming pool sized catchment ponds, and estimating the roof water to deliver more than 120,000 gallons of water a year, in addition to rain water we could gather on site. Because of the tremendous elevation changes we also incorporated biological waterfalls and streams from pool to pool, with the first fall travelling down a steep 100 foot hillside. We linked all the ponds with a common biological filtration system and incorporated solar to power the pumps. Now the ponds are homes to thousands of native frogs and salamanders.

We built terraced vegetable and flower beds with bridges to cross the hundred foot waterfall. We also began to see people feeling free to wander the spaces as they were created. The next step was grading for the ponds, and building more dry stone walls and steps. We laid out sitting areas for small and large groups as well as meditation spaces, and began developing planting areas for edibles, natives and Mediterranean plants. We used organic materials such as compost and mulch from trees on site to begin building the soil. We seeded native meadow barley, clover and lupin for nitrogen, and California poppies and daffodils for sheer joy. We planted orchards of fruit trees, hillside groves of citrus, and installed drip irrigation. Underneath the shade of the fruit trees we planted berries and other edibles. Below the native oaks we planted ribes sanguineum and rhamnus californica, as well as native ferns and aquilegia formosa. We made use of the natural seep areas for native sedges and iris, both douglasiana and ensata. The hillside grasses are mowed several times a year, continuing to support the native grasses and banish the annual invasives.

By the lodge a gathering space for groups was created with a stone seat wall and a spiral meditation walk through low water meadow grasses. Adjacent to the circle is a bridge which leads to a biologically balanced cool dip pond. After a cool dip plunge visitors can enjoy the nearby wood fired hot tub, and a shower that is built into a gigantic eight foot redwood stump. This space is especially used for relaxation after group sessions.

Now when visiting Earth Retreat one can experience the garden changes that occur daily on the way to exploring many different destinations. Visitors can stop to eat fruit and vegetables along the way, swim in the pools, relax by the waterfalls, listen to the thousands of native frogs (and salamanders) who inhabit the ponds, and open to a sense of wonder.

Submitted By: Rebecca J. Dye - Landscape Architect
Website: www.designfocus.com

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