April is California Native Plant Month

With the recent rainfall and cooler weather, now is the perfect time to plant a native garden. The mild conditions typically associated with late fall through early spring allow plants to get established before the heat of summer arrives. In a measure adopted by the CA State Legislature and sponsored by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS), April is designated as California Native Plant Month.

With more than 6,000 types of plants, California has more native plant species than any other state in the nation. “California native plant gardening and landscaping have tremendous positive impacts to our watersheds, to habitat recovery, and to curbing catastrophic wildfires”, according to a CNPS statement.

Why Natives Are Beneficial

Most California native plants require little irrigation once established, provide habitat for pollinators, are low maintenance, and are perfectly suited to our local climate and soils. Native plants have evolved over thousands of years to survive in our hot, dry summer climate. When choosing native plants, make sure you select those native plants that are specific to our region. Also, note that native plants differ from drought-tolerant plants. Native plants are adapted to survive without much irrigation in summer, whereas drought-tolerant plants generally require some watering all year.

Native plants provide the following benefits:

Water Savings: A sustainably designed native garden can use 85 percent less water per year than a traditional landscape (CA Department of Water Resources). Once native plants are planted, a well-designed drip irrigation system can be used to increase efficiency over traditional spray sprinklers and save watering costs.

Maintenance Reduction: A water-wise California native garden can reduce maintenance dramatically once it is established. It eliminates the need for mowing and fertilizing lawns, applying pesticides and fertilizers, and watering thirsty plants, leaving you more time to enjoy your garden and other activities.

Wildlife and Biodiversity Increases: Adding native plants helps create functioning ecosystems in the garden by attracting the native insects and wildlife that depend upon these plants. Native plants and animals have developed relationships with each other, and research shows that our wildlife prefers native plants over non-native plants because of these dependencies. Native pollinators can improve fruit and vegetable production in your home garden, and beneficial native insects, reptiles, and birds can manage pests such as mosquitos, aphids and others.

Pesticide Use Reduction: Native plants have not only developed their own defenses against many pests and diseases but also mechanisms to attract beneficial insects and animals that attack pests. By reducing or eliminating the need for pesticides, native plants help keep toxins out of our waterways and soil, improve environmental and human health, and allow natural and beneficial pest controllers to thrive.

Connection to a California Sense of Place is Enhanced: A garden planted with species native to our region creates a strong sense of place and helps connect you more deeply to the natural world. Including native plants in your garden connects you to the unique biological web created by the environmental history and culture of the land your home sits on. These small patches of habitat become part of a larger collective that nurtures and sustains a living landscape that not only enhances a sense of sanctuary for you but also for the plants, insects, birds, and other animals that have always made their home there.

Get Started!

For planting tips, check out the California Native Plant Society’s article on Planting California Natives, then grab your shovel and gloves and get started on planting an attractive, water-wise native garden!

CA Native Plant Events and Resources

·Want free native plants? A variety of California native plants will be available for free (while supplies last) at the City’s Arbor Earth Day event on Saturday, April 19^th, from 10am – 2pm, at Thousand Oaks Community Park, located at 2525 N. Moorpark Rd (next to T.O. High School).

·A California native plant sale will take place at Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center in the Ventura Harbor on Saturday, March 29, from 9am – 1pm. More information can be found HERE.

·The Ventura County Master Gardeners are hosting a free workshop on growing CA native plants on Saturday, April 19^th, from 1pm-2pm, at Oxnard Main Library. For more information, CLICK HERE.

·Check out the California Native Plant Society website for more information about California native plants and sustainable gardening.