The last two posts – Garden Gloves, and Pruning Gooseberries – segue into today’s piece perfectly. Since we returned from the Pacific Northwest I have been cutting back the humongous sunflowers in the front yard. I don’t usually pull them out; rather, I cut the branches and smaller stems until there is only a main […]
sustainable
OC-Calif Native Plant Soc: Wild Suburbia – Book Talk & Signing
In her recently published book, Barbara Eisenstein guides us through the process of transforming a traditional, high water-use yard into a peaceful habitat garden abounding with native plants. Because there are so many variables in gardening, answers to even simple questions about establishing a native plant garden are rife with caveats and exceptions. Wild Suburbia […]
CNPS: Wild Suburbia – Learning to garden with native plants
In her recently published book, Barbara Eisenstein guides us through the process of transforming a traditional, high water-use yard into a peaceful habitat garden abounding with native plants. Because there are so many variables in gardening, answers to even simple questions about establishing a native plant garden are rife with caveats and exceptions. Wild Suburbia […]
Parks & Gardens Featuring CA Native Plants
Nothing like a rainy day to get me to check and correct info on this website! I spent the day converting an old pdf file of “Where to See Native Plants” to a new and hopefully more accurate webpage of Parks & Gardens Featuring CA Native Plants. This all came about because I forget to include the […]
New native gardens are popping up
During my walks around the city of South Pasadena, I frequently come across new low water-use, native plant landscapes that I have not seen before. Surprised, I ask myself, “When did this happen?” That is just what occurred a couple of weeks ago. Check out these wonderful before and after pictures that I was able to […]
Native plants in summer
People new to native plants often express concern about the dreaded dormancy period they are reputed to exhibit in summer. Many tell me that they like native plants but want to have year around color. My reply, brown is a color, is usually not appreciated… But it is! Actually, a garden of carefully selected native […]
Oregon white oak
Oregon white oak restoration project on Orcas Island
Prisk Native Garden
Prisk Elementary School in Long Beach is fortunate to have the most amazing native garden. The garden was started in 1996 by teacher, Candy Jennings, and three dedicated volunteers. The garden has grown over the years with the care and loving attention of Mike Letteriello. Each year Mike holds an open house in spring. This […]
Winter vegetable garden
As a follow up to the post of 2/1/16, Front yard vegetable garden, check out the photos of my winter vegetable garden below (January through today, March 21). The lettuce has been delicious, I love having green onions that are not from Mexico, there are lots of herbs, the kale and Swiss chard are amazing, […]
Rainwater harvesting and infiltration
Use rainwater harvesting and infiltration techniques to catch the rain in your garden.