ABOUT THE BOOK

Before going into the steps for planting a California native garden, I'll first answer a more basic question: Why plant a California native garden?Then, I'll tell you step-by-step exactly how to do it. If you're interested in saving money, helping the environment, and adding beauty to your life, then please keep reading!

MEET THE AUTHOR

Tom teaches creative writing, composition, and journalism at the Academy of Art University. Besides tending to his own California native garden, he enjoys hiking and home brewing.

EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK

Once you've consulted with your local nursery on the best matches for your soil, drainage and sunlight, it's time to plant your natives. Remember this rule: do not overplant. It's very tempting for beginning gardeners to stuff a space full of native flowers, shrubs and bushes. But most of the work happens underground, and natives need room for their roots to spread and grow, as well as some space for air to circulate.Also: natives grow at different rates and to different sizes. For example, the gorgeous and fragrant flowers of the hummingbird sage will definitely have your garden humming with their namesake, but the plant grows fast and can overrun an area extremely quickly.Most beginning native gardeners will be planting from pots, not from seed, so be sure to break up the root ball. If the native has been sitting in a pot for awhile, you'll need to loosen the soil around the roots, and the roots themselves, to encourage growth.Buy a copy to continue reading!