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.

Springtime Weeding

Mar 29, 2025

Learn where, when, and what non-native plants to remove

California Native Ferns

Feb 24, 2025

Using ferns to bring vibrant greens to the garden

Flowering Currant

Jan 30, 2025

If you have a shady spot in the garden to fill, look no further than the flowering currant

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

Aug 18, 2022

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.