Note: RSABG in Claremont CA has a free talk on Dec 17, 10-11am on "How to Water and Plant Native Plants" After a baking hot summer in SoCA and no precipitation, we've revisited our previous planting and watering schedule. We're still happy we went with mostly California native plants, but …
Drought-busting: Why to Plant Natives?
The drought here in California -- we've received less than 8 inches of rain here in Redlands -- is encouraging much discussion on how to reduce water usage. I've written a lot about our use of California natives in our landscaping so I want to reference some of my popular articles on why they're a …
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Love in Lizard Land
It's springtime in the nature world. We came across two mating lizard couples yesterday while many others are running around like cuckoos trying to get into the game. (… looked up cuckoos and they're a family of birds that include roadrunners.) The season of love has also struck other animal …
California Native Plants: Favorites of Two Residents
Fall is the perfect time to be exploring and planning the purchases of California native choices, with lots of plant sales. So I checked in with some friends who over the last couple years have planted California natives - to get feedback on what's done well for them. It's challenging where we live …
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Why Native Plants? Attracting birds is another important reason
I've written a number of articles on how native plants usher in wildlife. I read an interesting article, "Grow Native Plants" in The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Spring 2014 Living Bird Magazine, which gives a simple recipe for attracting warblers, the well-loved but evasive group of songbirds. …
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Our Welcome (and not welcome) Nature Guests
Our housesitter called when we were away to say that we hadn’t told her about our unexpected friend. At dusk she had walked out onto the back patio and discovered a 5-foot gopher snake slithering along the house. Knowing our respect for critters, she successfully whisked it away with a broom. …
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