Mandavillas

Mandavillas bloom year round in California Gardens. They are drought tolerant and easy to grow. The flowers come in a variety of colors. Mandavillas are a good vine to plant near a pool, because they do not drop an enormous amount of leaves or flowers.

Rain in Southern California

Winter is the rainy season in Southern California. When the rain falls, we have to watch out for flash floods. Dry river beds used for recreation can quickly become fast moving rivers. The grassy playing fields in this park were turned into a small lake last week by rainstorms.

Palm Tree House

This Palm Tree House has three palm trees growing through the roof.

Back Bay in Newport Beach

One of the best places to view California native plants and wildlife is back bay in Newport Beach. This heron is about to catch a fish.

Low Maintenance Grass

We are happy with the way our eco lawn seed is growing. The grass is very green. The new lawn is tolerating our big dogs walking on it very well.

We have removed more of our old lawn and will eventually replace all our grass with eco lawn. November and December are good months to throw eco lawn seed. The seed germinates fast when the temperature is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Habanero Peppers

Habaneros are very hot peppers. You can reduce the heat of your peppers by removing the seeds and ribs. Wear gloves while handling habaneros to prevent the painful experience of getting the oil in your eyes. After chopping habaneros, remove your gloves and wash your hands before touching your eyes or face.

People who experience a burning sensation from eating hot peppers should drink milk rather than water. Milk contains a chemical called casein that attracts capsaicin. Drinking or rinsing with milk will relieve the burn, much better than water.

The habanero plants in our Southern California back yard grow year round. The plants are attractive and fairly easy to grow. If you want to grow habanero plants from seeds, they will require a well-drained soil, heat, and patience. Habanero seeds take a very long time to germinate.

Environmentally Friendly Garden

Drought tolerant plants are popular choices for gardens in Southern California. This home is on a lake in Fresno, California.

Garden at Bentley's in Fresno

This is a garden used for dining in front of Bentley's in Fresno.

Eco Lawn

Rain is falling this morning in Orange County. The rain is just what we need to make our California native plants and eco lawn thrive.

We are happy with the way our eco lawn is growing. Our new grass is very green and growing slow. We spread some more seed in the areas where the grass is a bit sparse.

We allowed a chihuahua to play with our cats on the new lawn over the weekend. Eco lawn seems to be a good lawn for pets. We are waiting a few more weeks before we let the dogs that weigh more than 100 pounds play on the lawn.

Some people have been walking on our new eco lawn. Our new grass is tolerating the pedestrian traffic very well.

Rain in Southern California

The rainy season has arrived in Southern California. A light rain is falling in Orange County. After many months of heat and drought, we are glad to have some rain. November is a good time to plant California native plants or an eco lawn in Southern California.
Tree of Life Nursery is our favorite place to buy California native plants.

Eco Lawn Seed

Here is our eco lawn ten days after we tossed some seed on the ground. We had strong dry Santa Ana Winds and a week of days when the highs were in the eighties. We sprinkled the seeds daily with water. We spread a little more eco lawn seed in this sunny location. We are expected cooler weather and maybe even a little rain next week.

While we were in Massachusetts, animals dug up half of the eco lawn that we planted in the shadier location on the other side of the house. We smoothed the area out and spread more eco lawn grass seed. The half that was not damaged looks nice and is slowly growing.

Eco Lawn

We scattered eco lawn seed under a few trees in September. The seeds were fast to germinate, just like the label said. Our eco lawn is growing slowly. Eco lawn is a drought tolerant fescue that is suppose to grow well in both shade and sun. So far, the grass is growing nicely in the shade.

Today, we scattered some eco lawn seed in a sunnier location. We are waiting to see how well it grows. We are having sunny warm days this week with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. Eco lawn grows best when the temperature is about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Santa Ana Winds

The Santa Ana Winds started blowing this morning in Southern California. These dry winds blow towards the ocean and create all sorts of problems in the garden. We usually see them in the fall or winter. Santa Ana winds topple trees, dry out plants, and blow your patio furniture all over the place.

California Fuchsia Seeds

Our California Fuschia is turning powdery white and is dropping seeds. The best time to plant the seeds is spring. The seeds should be planted outdoors in sunlight. California Fuchsia will grow in sun or part shade and is drought tolerant.

Cleveland Sage

We planted two Cleveland Sage plants last October. Cleveland Sage smells wonderful and attracts hummingbirds. We like this California native plant so much that we planted four more this week.

Sun Drops

Sun drops are a California native plant that can really brighten up your garden. The plant grows low to the ground and produces eye catching yellow flowers.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies are beneficial insects that eat mosquitoes and gnats. Dragonflies come in a variety of colors and sizes. These flying acrobats are amazing to watch. Dragonflies are beautiful useful creatures that benefit humans by eating disease carrying mosquitoes.

Tarragon

Tarragon is a drought tolerant herb with beautiful yellow flowers that grows well in Southern California. The fresh leaves are used in salads and as a seasoning for chicken, fish, beef, or pork. This herb has a sweet, licorice taste. The leaves lose their flavor when dried. Tarragon is easy to grow and a beautiful addition to the garden

California Native Rose

Rosa Californica is the wild rose of California. This California native plant has small pink roses and makes a nice hedge. The rose hips are brewed into a tea with a high Vitamin C content.

Fall & Winter Squash Gardens

Zucchini and Butternut Squash planted in late September produce squash in fall and even into winter in Orange County. Fall and winter squash plants produce small tasty fruit.

Rosemary

Some people believe that smelling Rosemary can improve your memory. Birds are attracted to this fragrant herb. Rosemary plants form a thick hedge.

Rosemary is planted in vegetables gardens as a companion plant for cabbage, beans, carrots, and sage to keep harmful insects away.

Cleveland Sage

Cleveland Sage is planted near doors and windows. The fragrant blue flowers attract hummingbirds. Cleveland Sage is a drought tolerant California native plant.

Prickly Pear Cactus

Prickly pear cactus is used to make food, red dye, hair conditioner, and possibly medicine. The fruit of the prickly pear is carefully peeled and eaten. Flour is made from the tiny edible seeds inside the fruit. The branches are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Prickly pear nectar and red dye are made from the fruit juice and pulp.

The fruit and branches of the prickly pear are rich in slowly absorbed soluble fiber that help stabilize blood sugar. Researchers are studying the prickly pear to determine its usefulness in lowering bad cholesterol and the amount of insulin needed by people with diabetes.

Pink Mandevilla

The mandevilla vine is native to South America. Mandevillas are California friendly vines, because they tolerate drought and like a lot of sun. This vine needs to be protected from frost and does not like to be over watered. The magnificent trumpet shaped flowers attract hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds

Flowers are the best hummingbird feeders. California Fuchsia is a hummingbird magnet.