Planning to Plant?

It's not too late to plant, though late fall is considered the preferred time for planting California natives since that takes advantage of the winter rains. Several local groups have plant sales in late fall like the San Luis Obispo Chapter of California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and the Nipomo Native Garden. But, early February is worth considering since lots of rain is still likely.

I really recommend careful planning first. One of the best books I've found is California Native Plants for the Garden by Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart o'Brien. Not only does this book have great photos; good advise; recommended plant selections like "Under Oaks", and "Fast Growing"; and a listing of places in California to buy native plants. The bonus is that there are local and semi-local links: Ms. Bornstein is from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and David Fross is the owner of Native Sons Nursery in Arroyo Grande, and also has been very involved in giving plants etc. for the Cal Poly Arboretum. Many of the photos in the book are from the Arboreteum. This book can be purchased locally at either a CNPS meeting (7:00pm the first Thursday of Oct., Nov., Dec., Feb., May, and June at the Vet's Hall in SLO), or at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden Gift Shop (Tues. 9-10am, or the 2nd. Saturday of every month).

You may find another book you like too. In any case consider many factors before planting:

• What kind of soil to you have? Lots of plants care whether it is clay or sand (the two most common types in the county I think) I have made beds of sand, clay and compost for mallows, and buckwheats that wanted better drainage than San Luis clay affords. This has been successful. But it's safer and easier to buy plants that suit your soil.


• Do you need drought tolerant?


• Will the area get wet from being near water (including your own or neighbor's spinklers) Some natives like this, others won't tolerate it


• How big a plant do you want? Consider both height and width and restrain yourself from planting too close to limit pruning in the future.


• What plants work well with yours? Consider plant communities, many books suggest other plants that go well together.


• Do you want to attract wildlife or have blooms and fruits throughout the year? Consider planting a range of plants that bloom and fruit at different times of the year. I will be writing about this another day.


• Does your area get shade or sun, or a mix?


• Do you need to consider frost or freezing temperatures in plant selection?


• What design aspects are important to you? You want a mix of trees, shrubs and flowers? Do you put the taller ones in back, or how do you group them so it looks like a natural setting? What colors do you want at what times of the year?
  

Don't be intimidated by the considerations above please! You can just hire a professional - there are certainly some good ones around. But in my opinion, planning the garden and researching it is at least half the fun.

Coming Soon: Where to Buy California Natives