tip_of_month
Tip of the Month - June 2010
As published in the Lafayette Today newspaper.
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By Kim Curiel

We live in a very special climate. California's Mediterranean climate is unique to only a tiny portion of the globe. Our wet winters and dry summers make growing things like Kentucky blue grass and English roses a particular challenge.  Growing some of our beautiful native plants can take the headache out of gardening, the guilt out of water consumption, while benefiting native wildlife.

native-plants
If you look at California native plants you notice right away the leaves are usually quite small, gray or fuzzy. These are all ways they have evolved to get out of the sun. Their roots are tough and deep, which help them survive through our long dry summers and gusty winter rains.   Unlike plants from other parts of the world, California natives often bloom in fall instead of spring, or in both spring and fall.  They've adapted to our adobe soil and don't need special enhancements or fertilizers for them to thrive.  Also they have to get along outside of our fences, on hillsides, and most have adapted defenses against deer and other plant eaters.

Turning to California natives can drastically reduce your water bill.  Most natives do not tolerate summer watering and get along just fine with winter rains.  Also they do not thrive on drip irrigation, which is a relief to those of us who have doggedly tried to keep drip irrigation systems working properly.

One simply needs to plant natives during the right time of year and then let nature do the work!   Most native plants thrive if planted just after the rainy season begins in October. Others are fine planted in early spring.  Native plants which are planted in June or July will need water to get established, and will also become very confused to have the "rain" and heat together.  It is far better to wait until October for planting. 

Why tell you this now?  Because now is the time to look at your yard and think about where you could replace some water hungry plants or high maintenance plants with natives.

Perhaps that lawn could be smaller. Native grasses like rush and sedge never need mowing, fertilizing or pesticides. Maybe the English Cottage Flowers are taking a lot of your time?  Beautiful flowering natives like ceonothus, penstemon, and flowering currants could take over.

Perhaps you love hummingbirds, yet filling and caring for the feeder takes too much time and effort. Native plants that have evolved to feed hummingbirds are fuschia, saliva, and coral bells.  There are a host of plants that also attract local butterflies and native bees. Feeding our native pollinators helps their populations thrive. Some great plants for this are: California poppy, globe gilia, checkerbloom, monkey flower and butterfly bush.

You've probably read about how much of our national pesticide and fertilizer use is actually in home gardens. Some lovely plants that can deter bugs on their own and happily thrive in our native soil are Western Red Bud, Douglas Iris, black sage, coffee berry, snow berry, toyon and mock orange.

Maybe you'd like to eat your garden as well. Some native edibles are California strawberries, yarrow, and native black berry. 

Finally, if you are growing crops that need pollination by honeybees, such as corn or tomatoes, consider planting native plants around them. The native plants will attract native bees, leaving the honey bees to pollinate the corn and tomatoes, so in turn you will get more food from your crops.

Locally, the best nurseries where you can buy native plants are the Moraga Garden Center and Mt. Diablo Nursery.  Orchard Nursery also carries some natives. OSH does not.

Good luck going native!

To read success stories about how Lafayette residents are transforming their homes and yards to be more sustainable, please visit www.sustainablelafayette.net




pdflink to PDF of Lafayette Today that included article on page 6