Photo credits: Torrey Neel and Judie Lincer
Have you thought about improving your landscape with native plants? Learn how to do it at the California Native Plant Society’s 2019 San Diego Garden Tour on April 13 & 14.
First, here are five reasons:
Why Native Plants Are Awesome
- Native plants need very little water.
- They require very little maintenance, so no weekly mow-and-blow service needed.
- Native gardens attract wildlife, including songbirds.
- No need for fertilizers in a native garden.
- They can help protect your home from wildfire.
Native plants create a natural habitat on your property. As a result, native gardens are less expensive, easier to maintain, and attract more wildlife than a traditional lawn. Consequently, you save money because native plants need much less water and maintenance, no fertilizers, and fewer or no pesticides.
As a Realtor, I love how a water-wise garden with native plants can improve curb appeal, in addition to increasing your property’s value!
California Native Plant Society’s 2019 San Diego Garden Tour
This year’s tour is called “Inviting Nature Home: The Native Gardens of Central San Diego County.” Mark your calendar for April 13-14, 2019.
San Diego Garden Tour Tickets
One ticket gives you admission for the whole weekend. Buy your tickets here.
Adult tickets are $30 online, $35 at the door. Everyone 17 and under is FREE. You will receive a map of the gardens, which you can visit between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm on both days.
FREE ADMISSION is available to all tour volunteers! See below for more information, or go to the volunteer sign-up page.
What’s Included
If you are interested in native plants and water-wise gardening, here’s a fantastic opportunity to see examples of successful gardens. This year’s tour features 14 gardens in Central San Diego County, including: Rancho Bernardo, Scripps Ranch, Poway, Rancho Penasquitos, and Clairemont. You will see gardens that homeowners designed and installed themselves, in addition to gardens by professional native landscape designers.
You will see how homeowners have successfully converted sterile lawns into wildlife sanctuaries. This can happen anywhere. These garden tours show great examples of how you can convert your lawn into beautiful, low-maintenance native habitat.
Some of the tour sites will also host instructional plantings and presentations.
The sites on this year’s tour will showcase examples of:
- Habitat planning
- Bioswales/dry creek beds
- Water catchment
- Slope gardens
- Water features
- Bridges
- Sculptures
More information about the 2019 San Diego Garden Tour can be found at https://www.cnpssd.org/events/gardentour2019.
SUNDAY ONLY: Kumeyaay Ipai Interpretive Center at Pauwai
On Sunday April 14, you can join a one-hour guided tour of the 5-acre Kumeyaay Ipai Interpretive Center at Pauwai in Poway. You must purchase separate ticket online ($10). This special extended, comprehensive tour is reserved for Garden Tour participants.
The Interpretive Center features a demonstration garden and authentic habitat site. During the tour, guides will explain how Native Americans used plants for food, clothing, shelter and medicines.
Tour Volunteers Needed!
If you would like to get involved with the Tour, consider volunteering as a Garden Tour docent. No previous experience is required! Volunteering is a great way to learn about native plants, and how to create a beautiful garden in your own space. Sign up online to become a volunteer.
Volunteers who sign up for a 4-hour shift will receive complimentary admission to the Garden Tour, hands-on training, and garden previews. For more information, contact Nancy Levine at tourvolunteers@cnpssd.org.
Learn More About Native Plants – Join Us!
To donate or help sponsor the 2019 San Diego Garden Tour, contact Judie Lincer at tour@cnpssd.org, or call 619-277-1490.
You can also join the San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. It’s a great resource for gardening tips and upcoming events.
Want to replace your lawn with native plants? If you live in Southern California, you can receive money to do it. The Metropolitan Water District will pay you to remove your lawn! Through their Landscape Transformation Program, you can receive a rebate to remove existing turf grass, and install a water-wise landscape. Read my article about turf replacement programs in Southern California.
