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Shade is an important commodity in many parts of
California. You can make a beautiful drought tolerant, fire resistant,
garden. With very little water you can greatly improve the health of
your mature oak trees by planting native understory plants. You can
have a lush green garden in summer with a few minutes of water
sprinkled on the foliage once a week or two.! Water the foliage, not
the ground. Your oak trees and the wild life will thank you.
 Some
things to keep in mind when planning your shade garden.
In our demonstration garden these plants occur under mature oaks which
can not handle garden water. Do not water under California native trees
during the summer. If more than the mulch gets watered you put the tree
at risk.
Get rid of the weeds! Invasive grasses, yellow
star thistle and other nasties are enemies to your oaks. Don't
till! This will only damage the oak roots and stimulate weed
growth.
 Mulch
lots! Mulch helps hold in moisture, adds nutrients to the soil,
aerates the soil, and gives a place for all those good garden
organisms to live. You will only have to do this once after that
your oaks should provide mulch for you.
Don't forget that shade is different on the
coast from in the interior. Many coastal plants that like full sun
or part shade would prefer full shade in the interior. Interior
plants that like full shade are often happier on the coast in sun.
Many species that like full sun will grow in
shade but may not flower much.
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