The Science Behind Nature - in Layperson Speak
This is an offshoot from another article I wrote. Bugs are good! I'm fascinated with Bumble Bees. Since we replaced our front lawn with mostly California native plants - now almost 15 years ago - I can't wait for January when our first manzanitas start blooming -- and there they are. Bumble Bees! …
Continue Reading about Bumble Bees – Read this & you will appreciate them too
Note: I have updated this with two upcoming 2024 sales in the Inland Empire (East of LA). People in areas outside the Inland Empire and desert areas of Southern CA, please check here for California native plant sales. Elsewhere, look up your state's native plant society. Plants native to your areas …
Continue Reading about California Natives – Fall 2024 Plant Sales!
Good news! Although Covid-19 shut down our planned free tours of California Native Plant Gardens in Redlands CA last month, you can visit four of them through videos below. We purposely planned yards in different stages, each one replacing some former water-thirsty lawn. There's also a Spring …
Continue Reading about You’re Invited to (Virtually) Visit Four California Gardens
As the weather cools (lovingly for us in Southern California!), it's the time for local plant sales -- especially for our important native plants that can be hard to find in regular nurseries. Note: Non-Californians: I have 'when to plant' guidelines for my Midwest and Eastern friends (see …
Continue Reading about It’s Time to Plant Native Plants! (plus local plant sales)
Ten years ago we replaced our dying grass lawn with a California native garden. Photos best illustrate the transformation, the rich habitat it has provided, and our happiness with our new front yard. Before Photos and Planting Prep (late 2008 - Jan, 2009) Immediately Post-planting and the …
Continue Reading about Our California Native ‘Lawn’ – 10 years old!
It’s finally cooled down here in California and fall is a great time to reflect on what’s done well and what hasn’t in our yards. And also ponder what we might do differently. In Southern California - unlike in the Midwest where I grew up - there’s no rest for the weary since fall through winter are …
