Love Your Yard! 2026

Devon Communities in Bloom is pleased to recognize Don and Debbie Spearman of 444 Ravine Court through its Love Your Yard! Eco-Friendly program, which celebrates residents who demonstrate environmentally responsible approaches to gardening and yard care.

The Spearmans have embraced a variety of sustainable practices throughout their property, creating a yard that is attractive, productive and environmentally conscious.

One of the Spearmans' eco-friendly initiatives is the introduction of micro clover into their front lawn. Micro clover is a dwarf variety of Dutch white clover and grows 4 to 6 inches tall.  By lightly scratching the soil and spreading clover seed, they have been gradually establishing a low-maintenance ground cover that has spread over more than two-thirds of the front yard. Don estimates that, with adequate moisture, the clover could fill in the entire lawn within three to four years.

As a legume, clover naturally fixes nitrogen in the soil, helping to keep the lawn healthy and green without the need for nitrogen fertilizer. This has allowed the Spearmans to significantly reduce their reliance on lawn fertilizers while maintaining an attractive appearance. Clover also requires less water than traditional turf grass, stays green during dry periods, and is less susceptible to yellowing from pet urine. Another benefit of clover is that it chokes out dandelions. Once fully established, the Spearmans expect the clover lawn will require little or no mowing, further reducing maintenance and environmental impacts.

In the backyard, the Spearmans have incorporated a technique known as hugelkultur into their raised garden beds. Logs and scrap wood buried beneath the soil occupy approximately one-third of the bed depth, reducing the amount of soil required while gradually decomposing to provide nutrients for the plants growing above.

Composting is another important part of their gardening philosophy. Kitchen scraps and yard waste are transformed into nutrient-rich compost, a process that typically takes about a year depending on moisture levels and the balance of green materials. The resulting compost helps nourish their gardens and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill. Additional nutrients come from decomposing wood within garden beds, occasional applications of Town-supplied compost, and supplemental fertilizer when needed.

To further improve soil health and conserve resources, mulch is applied throughout their garden beds. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil, reduces weed growth, and lessens the need for frequent watering.

The Spearmans also enjoy the rewards of their mature apple tree. Last year alone, it produced 99 apples, although most years yield even more. To preserve the harvest, they dehydrate many of the apples and later rehydrate them for baking, including homemade apple pies. This approach allows them to enjoy homegrown fruit year-round while reducing dependence on freezer storage.

Water Conservation Through Rainwater Harvesting

Water conservation is another important component of the Spearmans' eco-friendly gardening approach. They have installed five rain barrels around their property, with a combined storage capacity of 265 gallons. The system includes three 45-gallon barrels and two 65-gallon barrels, allowing them to capture and store rainwater from their roof during the growing season.

Much of the collected water is distributed by hand using watering cans to nourish their vegetable and flower gardens. This simple but effective approach helps reduce their reliance and spending on treated municipal water while ensuring plants receive the moisture they need.

The Spearmans have also incorporated passive irrigation into part of their landscape. A flower bed located in front of their deck is watered through a perforated pipe connected to the eavestrough system. Rainwater collected from the roof flows directly through the pipe and into the garden, providing efficient irrigation while making full use of a natural resource that would otherwise run off the property.

Combined with their use of mulch and drought-tolerant clover, the rainwater harvesting system helps the Spearmans conserve water while maintaining healthy and attractive gardens throughout the season.

Through their thoughtful and practical approach to gardening, Don and Debbie Spearman demonstrate how small, sustainable choices can contribute to a healthier environment while creating a beautiful and productive yard. Their efforts serve as an excellent example for residents looking to make their own gardens more eco-friendly.