Landscaping contest in Indian Hills

It's time get out the rakes and fertilizer in Indian Hills, where officials are challenging their constituents with a yard improvement contest.

Vicki Reifer, executive assistant for the Indian Hills General Improvement District, said the home must be within Indian Hills boundaries, but aside from that the requirements are limited.

"We want to encourage people to take care of their yards and promote community pride," she said. "We're trying to focus on water efficiency and removing weeds. People don't have to plant a lot of shrubs or anything like that, just basically improve their yard."

The contest is also designed to promote the use of native plants, Xeriscape landscaping, water use conservation, water efficiency and improving overall attractiveness of yards within the district's boundary.

Prizes haven't been organized, but Indian Hills officials are working on it and they probably won't be limited to the top three winners, Reifer said.

"Sponsors are donating things like gift certificates, trees, plants and mulching material," Reifer said. "We'll be expanding the prize list as we get more ideas."

The concept was the brainchild of Indian Hills Trustee Kathryn Clark-Ross, developed with the assistance from Reifer and the Truckee Meadows Water Authority. Several cities and water purveyors have used the concept, including Truckee Meadows Water Authority and San Diego County in California, Reifer said.

Entrants must complete an entry form and submit 4x6 pictures of their project before and after completion. The entrant's name and address should be printed on the back of each photo.

Deadline for entries is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. For more information, contact the Indian Hills General Improvement District, 267-2805.

Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.