How to's
The Nature of Deer Nature and Man, Fire Problems
Your Own Natural Fragrant Path Costs of Replacing a Lawn
Attracting Butterflies Naturally Attracting Birds Naturally
Planting Part I: over all planting Planting Part II: single plant planting
Know When To Plant Natives Do Simple Restoration
 

When to Plant Natives

The pluses and minuses of the season.

For years we've heard 'that fall is the time to plant California natives'. Another myth, 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 we are landscape contractors and can't plant yards only 3 months in 12 and survive. Guess what? The myth was a myth. Fall is generally the worst time to plant in California. 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, warts and all). You can plant all year in most locations, AS LONG AS YOU THINK ABOUT IT! Plan a little bit and spend a little more time on the project.


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) Most California gardeners do their landscaping here. 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% for native plants

 good planting season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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 season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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 in most gardens

'normal' losses less than 5%

Inner coast ranges, inner valleys of Sierras(hot and dry in summer, lows in teens or lower in winter). We thing this is the hardest garden in California. These gardens really separate 'gardeners' from 'GARDENERS'. Try to make any plant stay alive! good planting season for native plants, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 3-5 times after planting and then they can generally make it through summer

'normal' losses @7% for native plants

 good planting season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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%

 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 3rd rain and the soil will be diggable

San Joaquin Valley

A wasteland for wildlife. Birds, butterflies and insects you've never seen show up in a true native garden.

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

'normal' losses @8% for native plants

 fair planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/week after you plant (if you have deer this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses @13%

 good planting season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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 3rdrain and the soil will be diggable

Low Deserts

Tired of burnt lawns?

Go native!

 good planting season for native plants, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 1/week through the first summer

'normal' losses @5% for native plants

 fair planting time, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/week after you plant (if you have deer this becomes a poor planting time unless you're willing to build a fort)

'normal' losses @15%

 good planting season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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 season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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, real landscapes stand out! good planting season for native plants, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 1/week after planting and then they can generally make it through summer, you can stop when they're growing vigorously

'normal' losses @7% for native plants

 good planting season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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 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 season for native plants,

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

Mountains from 3000-5000. Just pay attention to landscape details and these gardens are easy. Great Planting, normal losses 5% for native plants good planting season for native plants, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 1/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 season for native plants, water the area to be planted well a week before you plant, water 1/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 season for native plants,

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

Mountains from 5000+ Use only plants adapted (native) to this elevation. Great Planting (as soon as the snow melts), normal losses 5% for native plants good planting season for native plants, enjoyable, plants need to be watered 1/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?

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