I am going for a visit to San Diego to see my DD. I want to help her with her small back yard. The association helps with the front and they can't do little landscaping there. But the backyard is all hers. I have ordered 3 City Planters that are currently on sale at Home Depot. She wants to grow tomatoes and some flowers.
Since they are renting and will only be there for the next 3 years (SIL is in the Navy), they don't want to spend a lot of money. Their dog enjoys what's left of their lawn. Given the watering restrictions there isn't much left of it.
I am coming from lush, tropical Houston area where right now water is not an issue. I would love some ideas on what to plant to make her yard look nice and won't take a lot of water to start off. Apparently they have nosy neighbors who will report them? They get full sun. There is a covered patio that gets some of that afternoon sun, too. She has a hanging gutter-planters on one end of the patio cover growing herbs. I deleted my best picture. But this gives you an idea of the blank slate I have to work with.
