Where to start?!

[Anonymous]

I have a hillside that last year was regraded to prevent further erosion and flooding.6 years ago fire burned out all trees.The flat portion was planted with cover crop, slopes were covered with wild flower seeds and bales and bales of straw. Now I have 1/4 acre of 6' high dead cover crop,wheat,a few poppys and rains around the corner. I would like to restore this area with native plants that will grow here in Cool el dorado county, red clay, no water, no fencing, no-low maintenance, and the deer eat everything!!! And thats the easy part! I don't know where to start, how to layout a plan and I know nothing about plants! Anyone up for the challenge??? Thank you and God bless, Cherie</p>

[Anonymous]

Cherie -

The best place to start would be the El Dorado Chapter of CNPS. You can reach their website from this one under 'Local Chapters.'

Fall is the best time to plant! Sounds like you should look for wide-spreading, dense, fairly low shrubs to a control erosion, and b smother out weeds.Ceanothus species would be excellent for this, and the chapter could tell you which ones grow in your area. One hopes the chapter will have a fall plant sale, but they may also have a list of local nurseries.

The chapter may have a list of local, environmentally-oriented landscapers, too - people who understand drought-tolerant, low maintenance, environmentally sensitive garden design. I'm not sure if bladder pod Isomeris arborea grows in your area, but it is certainly deer-resistant. Many plants will resist deer once they grow large enough to hold their own. You may have to put wire cages around them for a year or two.

As for design, it follows function - how do you want to use the land, where do you want to sit, where should the paths go? Think of it as an adventure that unfolds over time. You may have to deal with weeds for a while, so the perennials might have to come later. There are however, great native bulbs and other perennials native to the Sierra Foothills.

Good luck,

Lori </p>