The Outstanding San Diego Scenery is ideal for Planting Plants so let’s see the key Players involved in Native and Sustainable Landscaping.
How Can I Help? Season 1, Episode 5: Planting Plants (Native and Sustainable Landscapes)
The Dorcas Utter Memorial Sensory Garden
Water Conservation Garden in San Diego, CA.
Plan a trip to explore the plants at the Water Conservation Garden, click map for hours and additional directions.
Old Town State Park Native Plant Garden
4002 Wallace St.
San Diego, CA, 92110
Parking and entrance to the park are FREE, and is conveniently located adjacent to the Old Town Transit Center, with Coaster, Trolley, and MTS Bus service.
Hunter Irrigation’s flagship product can provide 30% water savings on your existing irrigation system.
Check out these established groups with growing potential…
Explore water conservation issues through our picture perfect San Diego native plants. First, get established for this growing adventure with a trip to The Water Conservation Garden on the Cuyamaca Community College Campus in El Cajon.
Than meet up with landscape consultant Susan Krzywicki as we put native strawberries in the beautiful home of Jeanne Kearley in Chula Vista.
After that we head north to Hunter Irrigation to learn how Hunter Irrigation is innovating our entire water irrigation systems. Amazing machines making irrigation necessities to keep our landscaping efficient.
Its a beautiful day at the Old Town State Park Native Plant Garden as we check back with Susan Krzywicki on how the California Native Plant Society has created an urban exhibit attracting as many people as Disneyland per year. Quite simply it is an amazing place to be and the happiest place for Earth as an original area for the Kumeyaay Indians, Spanish and Mexican Settlers, as well as the original Plymouth Rock for San Diego and California as we know it. You’ll definitely have a new look on Old Town after this segment.
Finally we take a relaxing break at Callie Mack and Philip Roullards home in San Carlos to see this 2006 Native Plant Landscaping award from the California-Friendly Landscaping contest. Its the pinnacle of planting natives so its a high bar to set, but Callie and Phil are very California-Friendly so we’ll get some tips and tricks to starting a beautiful backyard (or front) native ecosystem.
Discover how Water Conservation necessities are a recipe for action in San Diego as well as some solid solutions with Native and Sustainable Landscaping. So, freshen up as we grow our knowledge on planting plants as we go native in this episode.
While California’s native plants have graced gardens worldwide for over a century very few of the landscapes designed in our home and business gardens do not reflect the natural splendor for which California is famous. By gardening with native plants, you can bring the beauty of California into your own landscape while also receiving numerous benefits.
Here’s the dirt to grow your knowledge and get started on going green… Keep it simple and sustainable with native plants.
Growing Conditions
Like all living things, native plants grow best under natural and familiar conditions, also known as biotic communities. Common California plant communities include northern and southern oak woodland, valley grassland, chaparral, desert, coastal sage scrub and bluff, mixed evergreen, and redwood forest. Choosing plants that are native to your landscape’s community will help ensure their optimum health and performance. Southern California and specifically San Diego would be characterized as a coastal sage scrub chaparral eco-system with a slight integration from the Sonoran desert.
Planting
Although most California natives can be planted at any time of year, it is best to put them in the ground during the fall and early winter. This gives them time to establish a healthy root system and build the energy for new growth and stunning floral displays in spring and summer.
Watering
Many native plants can survive with minimal supplemental water once they have become established (after two to five years). Proper watering can present a challenge when first becoming acquainted with native plants. Underwatering of young native plants is a frequent cause of death, while over-watering can cause root rot and kill more established species. Some native species can maintain a healthy appearance for much of the year while being watered only1–4 times per month. For a garden full of thriving native plants, check plant-specific watering needs from Native Plant Nurseries or come by every third Tuesday of the month to CNPS meetings. They are open to the public and a great way to expand your knowledge and resources on native plants.
Soil
Most native plants perform better without any fertilizer. Extra nutrients push plants to grow quickly, sometimes beyond naturally supportable levels, and can shorten their life span. Mulching can be a valuable practice in low-maintenance gardening. A layer of mulch slows water evaporation, discourages weed germination, and creates a favorable environment at the soil interface for beneficial biological bacteria. Adding organic matter to soil may be necessary where development has left an infertile top layer.
Pruning
While many non-native garden plants are often pruned throughout the year to keep up with their water- and fertilizer-induced growth, for most native plants pruning once per year is sufficient. Check plant-specific pruning tips from your friends, neighbors, nurseries, or CNPS members as plant preferences vary. Give the plants room to grow by properly spacing them in your garden design. Crowded plants need more frequent pruning and care.