Winter Rains Reward Native Plantsby Sara Marcellino |
During summer dormancy, many California native plants shut down and sleep. Native plants expect little to no water because they have adapted to our Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and wet winters. Watering dormant natives can in fact kill them and is beneficial once or twice a week only during plant establishment, defined as the first year after planting.' 'That's why native plant aficionados and water conservationists appreciate fall and winter so much. Indeed, fall and winter are the busiest times of the year for us at Friends of Sausal Creek, because November to February is when we plant the local natives grown all year at our nursery. The air cools down in fall and winter, and the first rains have moistened the soil. That moist soil is much easier to dig and plant. 'Now that we've had a deep, soaking rain, there is no shortage of things to plant, whether in your own garden or with FOSC at one of our planting days, like our big planting party scheduled for December 13 in Dimond Park and Dimond Canyon, in honor of the winter solstice. At this time of year we plant over 150 different species native to redwood, oak woodland, perennial grassland, and creekside habitats. For a complete list of natives that grow well in each of these habitats, see the "FOSC Habitat Plant List" on our Web site, www.sausalcreek.org/sausal/nature.html.' If we don't get much rain again this winter, remember that hand watering young plants during dry spells is a necessary and important chore.' 'So go plant some native plants, and let Mother Nature take over the watering chores this winter. Watch this year's rainy season green all of those special drought-tolerant plants, trees, and shrubs adapted to our East Bay climate. You'll be glad you did! Sara Marcellino, Executive Director |
