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.
California Native Ferns in the Garden
By Caroline Christman
California native ferns in your garden
Springtime Weeding in the Garden
By Caroline Christman
California native ferns in your garden
Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) in the Garden
By Caroline Christman
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.
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.
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.
Articles Index
California Native Ferns in the Garden
By Caroline Christman
California native ferns in your garden
Springtime Weeding in the Garden
By Caroline Christman
California native ferns in your garden
Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) in the Garden
By Caroline Christman
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.
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.
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.
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.
Planting A Community in the Novato Wetlands
By Stacey Pogorzelski and Tiffany Higgins
A dozen people gather on a levee in the Hamilton wetlands. They walk in pairs down the side of the levee toward a seasonal wetland where shorebirds and ducks feed in water left by the last rain. The volunteers measure off a square meter of earth, mark the corners with flags and sprinkle seeds of California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) and Douglas’ mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana), and others. They then walk gently on the area to press the seeds into the soil.
Handouts to Download
Pruning Tips for Natives
Fall Garden Care
Planting Natives in Spring
Planting Natives in Fall
Planting Native Bulbs
