Fall is the ideal season to think about transforming your yard with water-wise plants because the warmer fall soil gives plants time to establish strong roots before the arrival of winter. The cooler fall weather also makes working in your yard so much more enjoyable!
Water agencies encourage Fall planting by providing yard transformation rebates to swap out turf lawns for water-wise landscapes. Be sure to visit the Save Our Water Rebates page to see if your local water agency offers yard transformation rebates.
Check out these helpful reminders for planting during the Fall season:
RAKE
We all love that classic fall look, but if leaves are left on your plants, they will start to decompose and can potentially spread mold around your yard. Take advantage of the fall “fall” and remove leaves from your yard.
MULCH
Mulching is one of the best things you can do for your yard. Mulch helps protect your plants’ roots and retains soil moisture. When mulch decomposes, nutrients get added back into the soil. Keep the mulch layer near the roots of your plant at a depth of 2-4 inches. This will give just enough insulation and protection from weeds and wind while avoiding excessive moisture buildup at the roots. For your mulching job, there are many mulch and bark options to choose from. Make sure you also research free mulch in your area! Many cities, counties, and local tree maintenance businesses offer free mulch.
WATERING SCHEDULE
Fall means it’s time to modify your existing watering schedule with the expected rains! Giving your plants more water than they need can be just as harmful as giving them too little. Check your irrigation system controller as it may have a built-in mechanism to turn off once a certain amount of rain has fallen. This will not only prevent the overwatering of your grass but will also save your water costs. One important flag, winding down your watering schedule for your yard doesn’t mean forgetting to water your trees!
COOL SEASON SELECTIONS
Water-wise plants are a good idea year-round, but some selections really thrive in the fall:
- Monkey Flower (Plant): Monkey flowers are the first and fastest to respond to cooler days and will blossom right away because they have recently emerged from their summer slumber. When combined with the dark green foliage, the yellow, red, or orange blossoms create a riot of color.
- Butterweed (Plant): Butterweed has attractive silvery wispy leaves with strikingly contrasted yellow daisy flowers and is best grown in groups or combined with perennials. It typically blooms intermittently throughout the year, but it is one of the first surprises of fall after a difficult, dry summer.
- Sky Lupine (Flower): Being a part of the legume family, Sky Lupine’s roots have unique nodules with bacteria that fix nitrogen, allowing it to grow in soils with low nutrient levels. By planting Sky Lupine between November and January, you can expect a late winter to early spring bloom brought on by winter rainfall.
- California poppy (Flower): In most of California, fall through late winter or early spring is the ideal planting season for California Poppies. The shortest days and the least amount of light occur during the winter growth season. Be sure to plant California Poppy seeds in a location that will get direct sunlight all winter long.
- Desert Willow (Tree): The Desert Willow tree not only tolerates drought well and requires little maintenance, but it also blooms in the spring and summer with fragrant pink flowers that hummingbirds and bees adore. Once roots are developed, the Desert Willow only has to be watered three times per month on average.
- Western Redbud (Tree): The stunning pink and magenta flowers of the Western Redbud Tree, which emerge in the spring, are its most distinctive feature. These small trees are simple to grow, adaptable to various soil types, and drought-resistant. It will only need water once a week at most once its roots have taken hold.
With the help of these fall landscaping suggestions, your yard will be ready to flourish over the winter and bloom beautifully the following spring! For more information on yard transformations and tips to conserve water visit Save Our Water.com.
