Prepping and Planting
Installing your landscape
Preparing for planting day
If you’re new to gardening with native California plants, or if you’ve tried natives before without much success, this section is for you. Native plants are not difficult to grow as long as you choose the right plants for your location and follow some basic rules of thumb. However, you need to think about California natives and treat them a little differently than the usual lawn and roses. The information that follows is intended to get you off to a good start on the road to a beautiful natural garden.
This dedicated time when you first begin can really help budget time and material resources.
– Peyton Ellas
Learn how
Removing lawn
Sheet mulching decomposes grass into healthy soil for your new plants.
Soil 101
Determine your soil type, and learn why it is important to avoid disturbing your soil!
How to plant a native
Follow these tips and tricks to give your California native plants a healthy start.
Mulching
Retain moisture, feed your soils, and insulate your plants from heat and cold.
Watering
Learn how to establish new your plants, and how much to water for long-term health.
Garden Q&A
Get your toughest questions answered by an experienced California native plant gardener!
Ready to buy your plants?
Visit Calscape.org to find a nursery near you! Check inventory right from the site, and create your own plant lists that you can take with you to the nursery.
Watering tip
Water deeply and infrequently to encourage plant roots to spread far and wide, and help them find their own sources of water in the drier months.