So I haven't really been keeping up with my blogs but thanks to my friend Jonathan its all about to change.
Ive been here in San Diego for just about 2 years. Most people would probably think, "Wow California, you can grow anything and everything!" and for the most part, it is true.
Southern California runs a wide range of horticultural/hardiness zones(8-10)
A relatively mild climate. The closer to the ocean the more even keeled and cooler the climate. The further east towards the desert, the dryer and hotter it gets in the summer and in the winter often hits below freezing.
This mild climate DOES allows for a multitude of plant varieties to be grown here. Plants in California, over a period of thousands of years have adapted to yearly climate cycles. Winter rains followed by mild springs and extremely dry often hot rainless summers until cooler foggy autumns are followed by winter rains again. Coastal scrub, Chaparral, and inland woodlands have evolved around drought. After the rains, many plants bloom and put on ALOT of growth leading up to the summer. Then as the summer drags on with no rain, growth slows and often leaves and other parts get smaller in response to decreased moisture. Other plants often die back to main stems, in the way a perennial does in the winter. Depending on how the year has gone this can last for many months until the rains come and the cycles starts over again.
Mid may Julian CA.For many of the western states water is an issue. Make that a Large ISSUE, water is scarce. Water sources are scarce as well, with only a handful of rivers available to feed large urban populations and an even greater agricultural needs. This wouldn't be so bad if there was reliable summer rain. But given the ecological history of the region most introduced plants need weekly waterings and often even the "Native" varieties do as well.
Ive definitely learned that just cause you CAN grow something, doesn't mean you should. California you can can grow everything..... But, many people will find that it often takes alot more than just sticking the plant into the ground and watering.
4 comments:
We have the same watering restrictions and scarcity of water here in south Florida too. Believe me, what we are planting here is amazing now...many more succulents used in medians, and commercial areas...we are getting a lot of hybrid plants that can be beautiful on barely any water. it is amazing what is happening.
Thanks for visiting and following my blog! See ya round...I am gonna spend a few minutes looking around your blog!
Julie
P.S. You live in my favorite city in the world. San Diego. WOW!
We visited about 3 summers ago and went out to Julian. Loved all that area out there in southern east and west California!!! I really loved the mountains out by Joshua Tree. Oh my. Just gorgeous!
I love Joshua tree. Being from NC i never thought i'd love the deserts but the 2.5 years i spent in Vegas really opened my eyes..... The way is see it is. We are stewards to the environment. Just cause we want and can pay for something mean we should carry the plans out. Ex: SD is ideal climate for tropicals but keeping a tropical garden throughout your whole yard.... Waste of water, money, time and resources let alone plants. To a limit a section of your yard closest to the house with Smart/sound irrigation.... Much more practical.
* doesn't mean we should..... Opps
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