Fall is in the air and the breeze, in the soil and on the calendar. And just in time, as always, comes the perfect precursor for winter, when our natural gardens grow ever quiet.
A season of hope. A look to the skies for the start of our rains. New birds arriving from distant lands, long migrations while others have left, flown south. The beginning of the horticultural year in the California natural garden.
We’re entering one of our two “tweener” months... we call May “pre-summer” and September “post-summer.” Now we see fall ambling up the way towards us, with not a care in the world.
Many of our natural gardens in southern California are still enjoying the benefits from our abundant rains last season, especially if they have already received a couple Deep Soaks and several Refreshing Sprinkles to date.
Native plants are adapted to this extended season of long days with extreme heat and no rain. Our natural gardens, properly planned, planted, and maintained, can become adapted as well.
We’re looking forward to summer with warmer temps, but in reality, near the coast we’re still wearing long sleeves and even a jacket now and then.