Ready to add San Diego native plants to your landscaping? Learn about how to go native at the California Native Plant Society’s 2016 Garden Native Tour in San Diego on April 2-3.
Here are 5 reasons:
Why Native Plants Are Awesome
- They need very little water.
- They require very little maintenance. No weekly mow-and-blow service.
- They attract wildlife, including songbirds.
- No need for pesticides or fertilizers in a native garden.
- They can help protect your home from wildfire.
San Diego native plants create a natural habitat on your property. Native gardens are less expensive, easier to maintain, and cleaner than a traditional lawn. You save money because native plants need much less water and maintenance, and no fertilizers or pesticides. As a Realtor, I love how a water-wise garden with native plants can improve curb appeal, and increase your property’s value!
Garden Native Tour 2016 – San Diego Native Plants
Mark your calendar for April 2-3, 2016. Buy your tickets here. Adult tickets are $25 for the entire weekend. Everyone 17 
and under is FREE. You will receive a map of the gardens, which you can visit between 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on both days. (Click on the map to the right for a better view.)
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 20 gardens in eastern San Diego, the El Cajon Valley, and the surrounding foothills. The gardens were planned and designed by both home owners, and skilled professionals.
You will see how home owners have successfully converted sterile lawns into wildlife sanctuaries. This can happen anywhere from a tiny urban lot to a large rural site.
This year’s tour includes San Diego native plants in:
- Rolando in the College Area
- La Mesa
- El Cajon
- Mission Gorge and Santee
- Jamul
- Foothills
In addition to native plant installations, you will also see examples of:
- Edible gardens
- Rainwater storage
- Greywater systems
- Turf replacement
- Wildlife habitat
- Animal husbandry
More information about the 2016 Garden Native Tour can be found at www.gardennative.org.
Learn More About San Diego Native Plants – Join Us!
To donate or help sponsor the 2016 Garden Native Tour, contact David at gardennative2016@gmail.com.
You can also become a Garden Native Tour docent. No previous experience required! Volunteering is a great way to learn about native plants, and how to create a beautiful garden in your own space. Docents receive complimentary tickets, hands-on training, and garden previews. For more information, e-mail docents@gardennative.org.
The Garden Native Tour also has a Pinterest account, if you want ideas for your own garden: https://www.pinterest.com/gardennativeorg/.
You can also get involved by joining the San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
Want to replace your lawn with native plants? Read my article about turf replacement programs. If you live in an HOA, here’s an article by Nancy Lawson. She interviewed me last year, and wrote about how native landscaping can increase home values.
