About Us
My concerns about landscape ultimately lies in working with our environment, not against it. Sustainability. Drought tolerant. Zero run-off. Native gardening. Mediterranean gardening.
Living and working in southern California affords many a gardener a full year of outside gardening. By seeking the best possible site for each plant, above ground (position) and below (soil). Drought tolerant plants do need carefully chosen sites, planting time and watering until established. Plants themselves create sheltered microhabitats. Understanding a garden's microclimates is crucial for choosing the right planting sites. The more these are exploited, the better a garden will be. We typically have two main growing seasons when root growth is active: autumn and spring. Mediterranean plants should be in the ground as soon as summer heat is over. Autumn rains and still-warm soils favour root growth. Watering in Mediterranean climates is simple: rely on winter rain! Plants require most water when in active growth. Should watering become necessary during prolonged winter droughts, apply it early to allow water to disappear into the soil before midday sun evaporates it. With our occassional Santa Ana conditions, I recommend an extra ration of water to offset their drying out effect. During summer, a deep night irrigation rather than a shallow, frequent day irrigation is best, as it encourages deeper roots and saves water. Watering midday is wasteful (high evaporation) and droplets in the sun will burn plants, acting like a magnifying glasses. Always water when the air is still.