Native Gardening Advice
Confused about where to start, or how to address particular challenges? These articles will help you find answers. We also recommend checking out the Calscape Garden Planner, the Calscape App to find out what grows in your area, and the CNPS website. This has an extensive information on gardening tips, techniques, tours of native gardens, and the Naturehood 101 videos that provide in-depth information on subjects as diverse as Healthy Soils, Plant Selection, Lawn Replacements and Watering.
Using Native Grasses in Landscaping
There is a place for native grasses in the home landscape. Like other vegetation, they need to be planted away from the immediate 2–5′ perimeter of the house and maintained by mowing at an appropriate height.
Gardening in the Company of Deer
Gardening with native plants in the company of deer can be frustrating but is not impossible. The browsing habits of deer can be difficult to predict, varying by neighborhood, season, and even from year to year.
Rewilding: A Native Habitat Garden in the Making
This gardening odyssey started with photographing California wildflowers. Now, after years of rewilding the garden, Nita and Rob are thrilled that they don’t have to leave home to find beautiful plants and wildlife to photograph.
Springtime Weeding
Learn where, when, and what non-native plants to remove
California Native Ferns
Using ferns to bring vibrant greens to the garden
Flowering Currant
If you have a shady spot in the garden to fill, look no further than the flowering currant
Articles Index
Using Native Grasses in Landscaping
There is a place for native grasses in the home landscape. Like other vegetation, they need to be planted away from the immediate 2–5′ perimeter of the house and maintained by mowing at an appropriate height.
Gardening in the Company of Deer
Gardening with native plants in the company of deer can be frustrating but is not impossible. The browsing habits of deer can be difficult to predict, varying by neighborhood, season, and even from year to year.
Rewilding: A Native Habitat Garden in the Making
This gardening odyssey started with photographing California wildflowers. Now, after years of rewilding the garden, Nita and Rob are thrilled that they don’t have to leave home to find beautiful plants and wildlife to photograph.
Springtime Weeding
Learn where, when, and what non-native plants to remove
California Native Ferns
Using ferns to bring vibrant greens to the garden
Flowering Currant
If you have a shady spot in the garden to fill, look no further than the flowering currant
Why Garden with Natives
By David Long
California native plants evolved over thousands of years in our soils and climate. California has one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth. These range from seashore to high mountain top; from coastal areas with a temperate Mediterranean climate to deserts with dramatic temperature extremes including some of the hottest on earth.
From Lawn to Flourishing Habitat
By Laura Lovett, Gardening with Natives Committee Chair
Lawns cover more acreage in home landscapes than any other plant and provide the least resources for other creatures. In most of California, a lawn will only thrive by irrigating it with expensive and often limited water. Consider removing your lawn and creating habitat by planting a more complex variety of species. If you include California native plants in that mix, your landscape will provide a thriving habitat while requiring less water, less energy, and no pesticides.
Fall Garden Care For Native Plants
By Laura Lovett, Gardening with Natives Committee Chair
Cooler temperatures are a cue to native gardeners to undertake fall garden projects.
Biodiversity Needs You
by Laura Lovett and Rachael L. Olliff-Yang
Here are some ways you can increase your garden’s diversity, extend flowering time, and help pollinators thrive in your home garden.
Gardening During Drought
By Laura Lovett and Kristin Jakob
Native plants are a great choice for our gardens. They need a fraction of the water that is required to maintain traditional gardens—approximately 30% of what is needed for most non-native ornamental shrubs
Yard Conversion: from Pool to Habitat
by Stacey Pogorzelski
The yard conversion of a multi-generational family home came with many challenges. The removal of a pool and old deck freed space for edibles and native bunchgrasses near the house.
Handouts to Download
Gardening with Deer
Pruning Tips for Natives
Fall Garden Care
Planting Natives in Spring
Planting Natives in Fall
Planting Native Bulbs
