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Community Corner

California Natives: Going Bush

I'll show you my lawn if you show me yours. On second thought, cancel that offer. I'll just describe it. My lawn looks like an old forgotten slice of burnt toast -- charred on the outside with a little patch of green mold in the center. 

Lawn and I are through. We've had it. Our relationship was never anything to brag about even from the get-go, but now we embarrass the neighbors.

When your front lawn turns various shades of crusty tan, your whole place looks neglected. And it doesn't matter what other changes you make -- paint the siding, replace the roof, touch-up the trim, buy a new swing, mend the fence -- it'll still give off Boo Radley vibes.

So out, out, damn green spot, surrounded by those dead St. Augustine rhizomes; out with the lawn and its horrific case of reverse male-pattern baldness.

I'm going to DG the whole front yard, put in some interesting winding paths, and plant natives along the sides to take everyone's mind off the fact that DG is nothing but dirt. (But really, really expensive dirt.)

The question is, which natives to plant? I polled the owners of the best landscaped California native gardens I could find, and here are their selections:

1. Yarrow (this topped everyone's list)
2. Manzanita
3. Coyote mint
4. Ceanothus
5. Brandegees Sage, Musk Sage 

The best thing about this ecologically-sound, responsible plan is, I shouldn't grab the shovel quite yet;  it's best to wait a few months. November, perhaps. The new plants will adapt and grow better if settled in just prior to the winter rains, when temperatures drop. 

Around here, home improvement is a dish best served cold. And later.

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