The Spirit of Place

Working at TreePeople, if I am going to talk the talk, I felt I needed to walk the walk. Some years ago I began converting my traditional lawn-covered yard into a more sustainable, climate-ready version. My husband was game, thrilled that he would not have to mow anymore! In addition to removing the lawn, we…

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The Shape of the Landscape

As of the end of January, LA had seen just 28% of its average precipitation since October – the official beginning of our region’s rainy season. On the heels of another incredibly dry winter, 22% of California is still in “severe drought” – so doing what we can in our yards is essential! Mother Nature…

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Cause a Chain Reaction: How To Install a Rain Chain

As we all wait patiently for winter rains, installing a rain chain will add a fun, new aesthetic to your garden to make stormy days a little more fun. Wildflowers popping up from the warmth of the spring will love them too! Install a rain chain! Rain chains are functional, beautiful alternatives to downspouts. Instead…

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7 Perfect Native Additions to Your Garden

What’s your favorite California native plant? If you’re drawing a blank, then this blog is for you. Not only are these native plants a beautiful addition to any garden, they provide a sense of place. California natives are perfectly suited to our Mediterranean climate. They thrive in the cool, wet winters and dry summers– making…

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4 Gardening Tips to Fight Runoff

Water is precious. Especially as temperatures rise and the rainy season takes a vacation. Often in the grips of the summer heat, people will douse their lawns with their sprinklers causing “dry-weather runoff” to rush onto the pavement, into the street sweeping up pollutants along the way, into stormdrains to be dumped in the ocean….

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4 Tips for Your Climate-Ready Yard

Do you feel the following symptoms? Constant urge to be outside An itch to dig in the soil A need for a garden that turns heads? If so, you could be suffering from Planting Fever! Now is a great time to get out into your yard and plant! But before you get your hands dirty,…

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