ARTICLES
PLANTING DESIGN
If you’re like many of my gardening friends, you probably think the most satisfying way to plan a new garden is to visit a local plant sale and fill up a wagon with appealing looking blooms. While you don’t have to abandon impulse (read more)
First up, what exactly is a perennial? One definition is any plant that takes three or more years to complete its lifecycle, which is not all that helpful of an answer. So for this article, perennials are considered any plant that is herbaceous (read more)
I don't want to be an allergy fanatic, and you probably don't want to be one, either. But the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (hmm, I think they could use a shorter name, too) reports that more than (read more)
I'm interested in knowing which plants cause allergies because I experience allergies to pollen from grass and several trees. Did you know that repeated exposure to large amounts of allergenic pollen can (read more)
Here in California, reasons abound to consider removing or downsizing a traditional turf lawn. By now, we all know that turf is the biggest water hog in the landscape, so reducing the amount of lawn benefits both the environment and your (read more)
“What do your neighbor’s think?” asked my friend, surveying my new front yard, recently stripped of its traditional foundation shrubs and perfect lawn, and now planted with California native plantings carefully arranged between (read more)
When does using less water and spending less time in the garden give you more flowers? When you follow the natural inclinations of spring bulbs and don’t water them over the summer. If you’re willing to experiment, you can have (read more)
GARDENING WITH CALIFORNIA NATIVES
These days, I often read (or hear) that we should all plant California natives. And of course I'm delighted, but I'm also worried that the "should" springs from the wrong reasons. Myth #1: Get California natives because they are drought (read more)
If you are fortunate to have existing trees your problem of erosion should be half solved. All that is left to do is curb runoff and create some form around the canopy edges. The shade in this yard comes from existing trees which are (read more)
Heavy soils and slopes aren’t the terrible twins that most homeowners think. With slope comes drainage and with drainage comes more native plant choices. Stabilizing a slope makes a lot of sense and requires more than jute (read more)
Mention bulbs to most gardeners and you are likely to start hearing names like Daffodils, Tulips and Crocus. What most aren’t aware of or don’t consider garden ready are our own Californian native bulbs. Though their range is (read more)
helping people plant right, water less and garden more
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> DESIGN
Just getting started? The landscape Design Center has articles and advice on planning your garden, including lawn substitutes and alternatives, low water plant combinations, habitat gardening and more, plus authors' links to landscape design websites and blogs that specialize in sustainable design.
> INSTALL
Ready to turn your ideas into a garden? The Installation Center has information on irrigating your landscape and planting techniques.
> MAINTAIN
Now that the garden is in, how do you keep it looking its best? The Maintenance Center has articles on keeping your garden happy and healthy over time.
