UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County
Press Mentions
Alta
Bumper Crops
Watch your fall garden grow with a little help from these seed purveyors.
"Not only do natives thrive in local soil, but they also tend to use less water and are a haven for birds, beneficial insects, and other wildlife."
California Native Plant Society
Hot Sunny Slopes and the Plants That Hold ‘Em
"Slopes and hillsides can be difficult spaces to garden, so much so that seedswoman and author Judith Larner Lowry, in her book, Gardening with A Wild Heart, says that one of the most common calls her business receives starts with, “I have this slope behind my house…” Plants for slopes must perform many functions: control erosion, hold the slope, be drought-tolerant, and, since slopes are often in fire-risk areas, be firewise. Happily, there are many plants in the native palette which meet these needs."
Sunset
Yes, You Can Create a Super Bloom in Your Own Yard This Year—But Hurry Before It’s Too Late
"Don’t go online and grab just any wildflower mix, even if it purports to be from your locale because there can be aggressive non-native species in the mix. “It’s important to choose the right seeds for your area,” says Maya Argaman, the senior horticulture coordinator at the California Native Plant Society."
Los Angeles Times
Want glorious spring wildflowers? Here’s what you should scatter right now
"Most nurseries sell wildflower mixes, but if you’re interested in building habitat and discouraging invasive species like African daisy, aim for mixes or seeds that are native to California to help local insects and birds."
Topanga New Times
"Larner Seeds offers hard to find native plants, including a wide range of native grasses and even a limited selection of bulbs, but order fast, they sell out quickly. www.larnerseeds.com."
Los Altos Town Crier
Add a little garden diversity with native wildflowers
"Reliable online seed sources for California native wildflowers are Larner Seeds (larnerseeds.com) and Theodore Payne Foundation (theodorepayne.org)."
Plant Natives this Fall
"Planting California native plants in your gardens and encouraging others in your community to do the same is a powerful way each of us can contribute meaningfully to climate change solutions."