This past weekend we moved the clocks ahead, and besides losing an hour of sleep, we all know this means spring is around the corner. As spring is a time of growth and bloom, March is the perfect time to “spring” into action in your garden.
Whether you are designing a new garden or refreshing an existing one, we recommend you set yourself up for success by hiring a landscape designer or gardening consultant to help you plan your outdoor oasis. March is the ideal time to work with a landscape professional to help you organize your design, research which plants and flowers are appropriate for your climate, when to plant, and devise an efficient irrigation system. Gardening guru Christy Wilhelmi, of Gardenerd, advises, “If you want a really efficient garden, bed prep and planning ahead of time are the way to go. Amend your planter beds with compost, and plot out your veggies on paper (or digitally) before you plant a single seed. Then buy your plants and seeds based on the plan.” She also offers you tube videos, online course and hands-on consultation.
While preparing your garden, there are several steps you can take to support sustainability and reduce waste. When cleaning debris, make sure fallen leaves and other organic material go into the compost bin (weeds should go only in a municipal collection bin). Before you toss dead wood and logs, consider keeping them as a supportive habitat for wildlife or to be used as raised beds. Think about using twigs and branches from your pruning as natural fences.
While the recent rains have provided much-needed relief to California’s water supply, the County must still prepare for possible dry conditions in the upcoming summer months. LACWD maintains some water constraints and advocates for conservation whenever possible. With that in mind, consider drought resistance plants and succulents, incorporating native California plants to create a low-maintenance garden, grouping plants together that require similar water and shade or sunlight, and switching from water-needy grass. Groundcover plants require little maintenance, low-to-moderate water, and may be used as lawn substitutes. Rock gardens and simple planters can create a modern minimalist aesthetic. With showers still in the forecast, consider a rain barrel to catch runoff from your downspouts. When making changes that save water, check SoCalWater$mart for rebates that may apply to you.
And don’t forget to make sure you have the proper tools and that they’re in good working condition including trowel, shovel (with footstep for convenience), scoop, shears and rake.
Happy Spring!
