Arlen and Gretchen Biehle did not have any trouble filling up the time after they retired. The couple have been planting, mulching and removing rock while they converted their large lot into a naturalistic garden that reflects the natural beauty of the Hill Country.

The Biehle's have chosen drought-tolerant plants and give them plenty of room to grow. They let the leaves from the trees stay where they've fallen to slowly build up a layer of soil over the rock. A thick layer of mulch helps the plants conserve water and discourages weeds.

In the backyard, a rock retaining wall defines a flower bed between pool and yard. The Biehle's live in the Edwards Aquifer's Recharge Zone and they use only natural fertilizers to help protect the sensitive region.

The Biehle's cleared most of the cedars from their property but left a small stand for privacy on the border of their lot.

Rain water is collected in 450 gallons worth of rain barrels. These two are connected, so the overflow from the first barrel fills the second.