When To Plant

The pluses and minuses of the each planting season.

For years we've heard 'that fall is the time to plant CA natives'. Another myth we think, that was generated by someone who did not have the experience of planting for years throughout the state, with its myriad of problems. Generally winter is best, but landscape contractors and can't plant yards only 3 months in 12 and survive. Guess what? The myth was a myth.(We pot up tens of thousands of plants all through summer in the 100 degree weather, and have for 25 years.) Fall is generally the worst time to plant. Every site is a little different , but here's what we've found in 25 years of growing and planting natives (the percentages are from our projects). You can plant all year in most locations. Plan a little bit and spend a little more time on the project. If you plant in summer, treat the plant like a 'normal' garden plant the first year. No matter what time you plant you should follow these guidelines.

Location

Spring (March-May)

Summer (June-Aug)

Fall (Sept-Dec)

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Coastal California (overcast in summer, lows in the 20's in winter)

Great planting time, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 3-5 times after planting and then they can generally make it through summer

'normal' losses 5%

good planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 7%

good planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer this becomes a BAD planting time unless you're willing to build a fort and guard it)

'normal' losses 8%

Great planting time

'normal' losses less than 5%

Inner coast ranges, inner valleys of Sierras(hot and dry in summer, lows in teens or lower in winter)

good planting time, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 3-5 times after planting and then they can generally make it through summer

'normal' losses 7%

good planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once per week after you plant (if you have deer or rabbits this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 10%

sucks, ground is dust, you plant, the plant wilts, water, water, water, the plants push new growth and then freeze (if the critters don't eat them first) losses range from 30% to 100% This climate separates the gardeners from the pretenders.

Great planting time

'normal' losses less than 5% as long as the grower is supplying hardy stock, wait until about the 3^rd rain and the soil will be diggable

San Joaquin valley

good planting time, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 5 times after planting and then they can generally make it through summer

'normal' losses 8%

fair planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer or rabbits this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 13%

good planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer or rabbits this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 10%

Great planting time

'normal' losses less than 5% as long as the grower is supplying hardy stock, wait until about the 3^rd rain and the soil will be diggable

Low Deserts

good planting time, enjoyable, plants need to be watered once a week through the first summer

'normal' losses 5%

fair planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer or rabbits this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 15%

good planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer or rabbits this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 10%

Great planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 5%

High Deserts

good planting time, enjoyable, plants need to be watered once a week after planting and then they can generally make it through summer, you can stop when they're growing vigorously

'normal' losses 7%

good planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer or antelope this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 10%

sucks, you plant the plants they push new growth and then the frost turns them into frozen lettuce (if the critters don't eat them first) losses range from 10% to 90%

Great planting time

'normal' losses less than 5% as long as the grower is supplying hardy stock, wait until about the 3^rd rain and the soil will be diggable

Mountains from 3000-5000

Great Planting, normal losses 5%

good planting time, enjoyable, plants need to be watered once a week after planting and then they can generally make it through summer, you can stop when they're growing vigorously

'normal' losses 7%

good planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water once a week after you plant (if you have deer this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses 10%

Great planting time

'normal' losses less than 5% as long as the grower is supplying hardy stock, wait until about the 3^rdrain and the soil will be diggable

Mountains from 5000+

Great Planting (as soon as the snow melts), normal losses 5%

good planting time, enjoyable, plants need to be watered once a week after planting and then they can generally make it through summer, you can stop when they're growing vigorously

'normal' losses 5%

sucks, you plant, the plants push new growth and then freeze (if the critters don't eat them first) losses range from 10% to 40%

who's going to tunnel through the snow?