Natives to Newbury Park (Thousand Oaks) Area

[Anonymous]

We want to xeriscape our yard but are concernedthat the heavy clay soil is working against us.Any ideas? Thanks</p>

[Anonymous]

Check out the 'plants that grow in clay soil' list at the Theodore Payne nursery in Sun Valley http://www.theodorepayne.org/

You didn't say if you were on a slope? Good drainage is key.

FWIW, we thought we had very heavy soil here, and amended some flower beds with lots of 'amendments'. Worse thing we ever did. And a total waste of money too, Those beds dry out in hours, and the plants suffer from drought. Meanwhile, the rest of the garden can go for weeks without additional water even in the heat of summer, because one good soak in heavy soil keeps the roots cool and moist for weeks. So long as you don't have reasonable drainage, you should be able to grow lots of stuff.

We also create a lot of compost from the garden trimmings and kitchen scraps, which we really helps to improve the soil thanks to mucho work by worms and ants too. Dig down - if you have worms, the soil's can't be too bad.

Check out the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for ideas too. And Sperlings in Calabasas have a California Natives section. We're in Sherman Oaks, not far from you, if you want any more plant ideas.

Trish