Honorable Mention June 2007 Non Fiction
Go Green by Planting California Natives
by Linda Shortell
Do you want an ocean friendly garden that saves you time and money? Introduce some California natives into your garden. Planting natives is a way to replace some of the natural habitats that have been destroyed by development. Native birds are attracted to native plants and will benefit your garden by eating mosquitoes and plant- eating insects. Many California natives require little or no watering and have developed a resistance to diseases and pests, eliminating the need for pesticides.
Pesticides kill beneficial as well as harmful insects, pollute groundwater, harm wildlife, and take money out of your pocket. Eliminating pesticides decreases the amount of toxins running down our storm drains and into our water systems. Reducing the use of pesticides is beneficial to the ocean, wildlife, and to public health.
California is home to many different types of diverse communities, such as redwood forest, coastal sage scrub and brush, desert, grassland, oak woodlands, chaparral, and evergreen. You will be more successful growing natives if you choose plants that are a natural part of the community you live in.
Restoring a little of California’s natural habitat will attract birds, butterflies, and wildlife to your garden. California Wild Fuschia, Sage, Manzanita, and Western Columbine will attract hummingbirds to your garden. Butterflies are fond of California Coffeeberry and California Buckeye. Deer may visit your garden if you plant California anemone, Western Bleeding Heart, or Sage. Providing food and homes for California’s native wildlife benefits regional ecology and provides opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Native plants should be purchased rather than collected from public lands. Collecting native plants is usually illegal on public lands, and the plants often will not survive transplanting. Native plants can be grown from seed or purchased from a nursery. One-gallon plants are the best size to purchase. Five-gallon native plants do not transplant as well, are more expensive, and are more difficult to plant.
Once established natives require little or no watering. Your natives will take a year or two to become established. The best time to plant natives is in the fall or winter, when the rains will provide the necessary water to make your natives thrive. During a dry winter, you will need to water your new natives deeply once a week. If you live on the coast, you will need to water less often. If you live in the desert, you will need to water a little more often. Over watering leads to root rot and can kill established natives. Planting native gardens will save money by significantly reducing your water bill.
Native gardens can be designed to look and smell beautiful. When choosing plants for your garden, consider what time of year the plants produce flowers. Growing a variety of native plants, which produce flowers during different seasons of the year, will ensure a continuously blooming garden. By choosing aromatic natives, such as sage, California lilac, rosemary or mint, your garden will smell wonderful and you will treat yourself to the benefits of natural aromatherapy.
More information regarding California natives is available at www.cnps.org and www.bewaterwise.com.
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