Restoring Habitat and Protecting Water

1. Plan your new garden. Make a sketch of your

property or area, identifying how you plan to

use the space. Determine where you need:

a. screening

b. shade

c. outdoor living spaces (patios, walkways,

children’s play area, dog run, edibles, etc.)

2. Kill existing lawn. There is no need to remove

the lawn, unless you have Bermuda grass,

bindweed, or other pernicious exotics. Cover

the area heavily with mulch (See Mulch below)

or compost. Make sure existing trees continue

to get watered.

3. Choose plants that are appropriate for your

location. Visit www.calscape.org and use your

zip code to find the right native plants for your

location. Choose a variety of plants of different

sizes, types, and blooming times. Note the

plants’ mature sizes to determine how many

you will need. Notice their sun/shade and

water requirements; group plants with the

same needs together.

4. Install infrastructure & hardscape: boulders;

irrigation mainlines (if a new system is needed)

and water lines for fountains and birdbaths;

construct patios, walkways, ponds, berms, and

swales, fences, pergolas; etc.

5. Buy plants. Bring your proposed plant list,

with quantities, to a nursery or plant exchange

group. Try to stick to your list; you can always

add more later. Make sure plants were not treated

with any pesticides.

6. Plant. October thru March is the best time to

plant. Start by placing and planting the large

trees and shrubs first, then everything else.

Dig holes only as deep as the root ball of the

potted plant.

7. Install irrigation drip lines to plants (or

convert existing lawn sprinklers to drip or

soaker system) to use until new plants are

established. During the dry seasons, you will

have to water the young plants for the first

year or more. Allow plants to nearly dry out

between each watering.

8. Mulch. Apply 3”-4” of mulch to conserve

water and discourage weeds. Keep mulch a

few inches away from the base of the plants.

Ground barks are great for woody plants

(avoid Eucalyptus, Walnut, Willow, & Bamboo).

Gravel works for desert plants. Do not mulch

areas to be seeded. Do not use landscape

fabric, weed cloth, or plastic sheeting under

mulch; cardboard sheets under mulch work to

discourage most weeds and grasses.

9. Add enhancements. Birdbaths, rock piles,

nurse logs, bird & bat houses, bee hotels. Do

not add unnecessary outdoor lighting.

10. Get certified! Email Deb Halfpenny for certification.

Encourage your neighbors with a

Certified Neighborhood Habitat sign!

For more information on each of these steps, please refer to our Gardening and Wildlife Resources page for helpful websites.

Enjoy your hard work, be patient, & watch nature return. EVERY YARD MATTERS!