Planting Guide for California Native Plants  April 1, 2008

How to plant DROUGHT TOLERANT PLANTS

  1. Dig a hole of a size into which the plant will fit.
  2. Carefully remove the plastic bag or plastic pot from around the plant and recycle bag/pot.
  3. Carefully place the plant into the hole, slightly higher than the surrounding soil. ( Disturb the root ball as little as possible.
  4. DO NOT ADD AMENDMENTS, just plant in native soil.
  5. DO NOT ADD FERTILIZER.
  6. Backfill the hole with soil.
  7. Water lavishly (lots and lots, like 30 gallons. If it rains, five inches right after you plant, skip.) We water an area for 8-12 hours with a  sprinkler if we plant in spring/summer/fall.
  8. How to Water (After the First Watering):  DO NOT USE DRIP IRRIGATION. Use microspray emitters or low volume sprinklers instead, so that the plant will be irrigated in a pattern more similar to rainfall. Do not water against the crown (the main stem of the plant at the soil surface) of the plant. Water should fall in the area of the drip line of the plant and beyond. Do not blast the plant's stem for ten minutes and call it a day.
  9. For perennials and subshrubs, place a rock next to the plant, on the west or south  side of it.
  10. Place mulch on top of the soil around the plant in a four-foot- diameter circle.
     Mulch Types: A. Desert plants- use rocks. B.  Perennials and subshrubs- shredded redwood bark or shredded cedar bark.
    C.  Long-lived trees and  shrubs- mostly evergreen oak leaf mulch or shredded redwood bark or shredded cedar bark.
  11. The first year-check the soil, down about an inch or two, once a week;  if it is dry, water it; if it is moist, don't water it.
  12. The second and succeeding year-water, if needed, during the months of November through April, and try to abstain from watering in the summer (excepting desert plants, which receive summer rain showers, and sprinkling for coastal plants that normally receive fog drip/;summer rain showers ).
  13. Depending on the origin of the plant, you may need to water extra or not. (If the plant originates from an area with equal amounts of rainfall and equal rainfall patterns, you don't need to water extra; if the plant originates from an area of higher rainfall or different rainfall patterns, you may need to water extra).

Plant a redwood in Barstow, water it, plant a cactus in Eureka, don't water it.
This basic planting guide, was written to help insure the long-term health of the native plants in your garden; if you water more than is recommended here, the plants will appear more lush, but their life span will be reduced.

ANY QUESTIONS OR PROBLEMS?  Email bawilson@laspilitas.com anytime!!

For riparian or wetland plants

A rock for mulch is good. Organic mulch can sometimes cause problems for these plants. They need a constant source of moisture.  Plant your native tree, shrub, or perennial in the ground near a water source such as a bird bath, pond, dripping faucet, etc. where the plant will receive regular water.  DRIP IRRIGATION IS OK FOR RIPARIAN PLANTS.

For desert plants

Use a 30-50 pound rock next to each plant. Preferably on the south side. Temperatures and moisture are dramatically moderated with the rock.