Welcome to my Garden Blog

Nature: wild & untouched. Photographing it, preserving it, taking walks and drinking in the landscapes as they unfold.

Gardens: touched by loving hands. Cultivated, nurtured. Drinking in those landscapes is wonderful, as well.

In my garden one enjoys some of both. Generally unpruned & wild, my plants reshape the garden as they grow.

Beyond the garden borders, natives from the Santa Monica Mtns await. Oak trees with their shady canopies. Cactus & Sage in the sun.

Always there are animal creatures to join in the fun.

I look forward to sharing some of my experiences with you as they unfold.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Go Native for the California Drought




July, 2015: It is official! We are in our 4th Year of Drought in Southern California, and everybody is talking about water concerns. This is an unprecendented situation, and Governor Brown has declared mandatory reductions in water use statewide.  

Water Restrictions affect all Californians, from farmers to cattle ranchers, to industries like fisheries, tourism, water sports, and commercial landscaping, municipal landscaping, and to our own home & garden use.


This Summer, in the upcoming series of posts, I hope to touch on important aspects of the drought and offer practical tips, including:



  • Plant This Not That: All Drought Tolerant Plants are Not Equal
  • How to Replace Your Lawn: Landscaping Choices
  • Saving Gray Water for Reuse: Water Cachment Systems.
  • Practical Garden Ideas that will Conserve Moisture
  • Why Native Plants Matter



This drought is more far-reaching than just the State of California. It spreads all across the West, including places like Las Vegas, which has its own set of challenges. It affects water reservoirs, and places like Lake Mead are at historic low levels.  Officials are facing big challenges getting drinking water to all of us, while still providing for agriculture.  

I see the current challenges as a promising opportunity for Californians. When we rip out our lawns, we are provided the opportunity to embrace new plants in our landscaping.  NOW, is the time to choose native plants!

Native plants are drought tolerant, because they belong here!  Yes, there are non-native plants which are also drought tolerant and are commonly offered at nurseries.  But, why not give back to the local ecology by repairing the ecosystem with native plants.  Native plants bring us native insects, much to the happiness of native birds.


What are you doing to conserve water in your California garden this summer?  We'd love to hear about it!  

Wildflowers, Santa Monica Mtns

Wildflowers, Santa Monica Mtns