The Dirt is IRWD's quarterly gardening newsletter featuring helpful tips, resources and ideas for water-efficient landscapes, as well as periodic emails about upcoming events!
SUMMER 2026 GARDENING NEWSLETTER
Design a pet-safe yard without sacrificing style. A place (and plant!) for every paw.
Polished yard, peace of mind A pet-safe plant palette includes hundreds of species in every size and color. Here are just a few to consider.
Purple fountain grass
We’re letting the cat out of the bag — you don’t have to work like a dog to make your Yardtopia® a safe space for pets! Petscaping creates an outdoor space where pets are free to explore and people can relax. That starts with proper plant choices: removing species that are toxic to our furry friends. For dogs, high-risk plants include sago palm, oleander and lantana. Avoid lilies, begonias and philodendron for cats.
Cross-reference existing plants against the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Toxic and Non- Toxic Plants database . Hardy plants that withstand paw traffic include creeping thyme, ornamental grasses and bright blooms like sunflowers and zinnias. Visit yardtopia.com/pets for more petscaping ideas, including tips on play areas, ground surface temperature, shade and potty areas.
California fuchsia
African daisies
Creeping thyme
EXPERT INTERVIEW
Habitat heroes. Where and why to buy native plants for your landscape.
Elizabeth Wallace | Co-president, O.C. Chapter of California Native Plant Society Elizabeth Wallace has been gardening with California native plants in residential and HOA landscapes for more than 30 years. She serves as co-president of the Orange County chapter of the California Native Plant Society. She is the author and editor of an OCCNPS blog about native plants and wildlife.
Why is it important to incorporate native plants into a home landscape? Wallace: The most important reason to incorporate native plants into your home landscape is to provide food and habitat for our local wildlife, including birds and butterflies. Native plants have evolved to live through California’s dry summers, so they need less water and fertilizer than non- native plants, saving precious resources. When you plant even a small section of your landscape with local native plants, you add elegance and interest to your garden while also supporting life, saving water and improving the soil. What kind of native plants would you recommend for easy maintenance? Wallace: Low maintenance, evergreen native plants that are beautiful in front or back landscapes include manzanitas, ceanothus, buckwheat and our local succulent species Dudleya edulis . For beautiful small trees and large shrubs, try toyon and scrub oak. Sugar bush and lemonade berry make easy, evergreen hedges.
Lemonade berry
Where can someone get native plants locally? Wallace: You can find native plants in many places. Green Thumb Nursery in Lake Forest has a selection of them, and it’s close to Irvine — just off the freeway. Plant Depot in San Juan Capistrano has an expansive selection of native plants, as does Seaside Growers of SJC. The Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach is expanding its inventory of native plants for sale, and Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach also has a retail area offering California native plants.
Find more suggestions for home garden native plants at cnps.org/chapters . Go to calscape.org to find more native plants and nurseries in your area.
Buckwheat flowers
HOMEGROWN & HANDCRAFTED
Garden zinnia
Harvest happiness. Clever DIY ideas to get the most from your garden.
Your garden reflects the love you put into it. Why not celebrate that wonder with creative expressions you can enjoy inside the home and share with friends?
A bouquet of fresh blooms is the classic pick-me-up. A basket of fruits and veggies or a sprig of herbs can be as decorative in the kitchen as it is handy to have within reach. Get a longer shelf life from your harvest with homemade herb-infused olive oils or vinegars. Rosemary and thyme are popular options for both, but feel free to explore with citrus peel, fresh pine or nasturtium petals. Many fruits can be preserved as jams. Candied citrus slices are wonderful in a drink, as a garnish on dishes and desserts, eaten alone as a snack or as part of a charcuterie board.
Candied citrus made easy A simple sweet treat you can make in less than an hour, with ingredients right from your yard! • Wash and cut any citrus into 1/4-inch
rounds (the thinner the better). Remove seeds.
Many plants that thrive in backyard gardens — such as lavender, lemon, mint and rose — can be dried and used for organic herbal tea.
• Blanche slices in boiling water for 5 minutes. • Boil equal parts water and sugar; reduce heat to medium. • Add citrus slices and simmer 40 minutes. • Set slices on rack to air dry 24 hours. • Sprinkle with sugar (optional).
Search online
for more ideas, instructions and recipes, and enjoy the gift of your garden!
Juan’s tip of the season. Get SPF protection for your yard. Shade benefits people and plants — and there are many attractive options to choose from to filter out harsh midday and afternoon sunlight
Looking ahead.
Your garden to-do list. • Smart watering: Split your irrigation schedule into
multiple start times in the early morning hours. Water deeply and frequently to encourage a deep root system.
while adding interest to your yard. Shade sails are great for patios and come in a variety of shapes and colors. Shade cloths and umbrellas can be positioned strategically to filter out direct sunlight throughout the day. Many come in a variety of Shade Protection Factors. Choose 30%–50% for edible gardens and 60%–70% for light- sensitive plants.
• Wind protection: Protect your plants from wind by installing temporary wind breaks such as tarps or cloth. Position your potted plants away from the prevailing winds.
• Dead-heading: Remove all faded or spent flowers. Doing this will encourage your plants to put out fresh new growth and new flowers.
Tap our online resources. Visit IRWD.com/rebates for rebates to help offset the cost of turf removal, weather-based irrigation controllers, efficient sprinkler heads, drip kits and more. Plus, check out our plant database at IRWD.com/plantlist .
Learn to compost at our free July 11 workshop Saturday, July 11, 10–11:30 a.m.
Join IRWD and University of California Master Gardeners of Orange County to learn about the ins and outs of composting. Take a look at the traditional method and the UC rapid method, and check out nifty compost bins suitable for your yard. Registration is required at IRWD.com/events .
Need to contact IRWD? Customer Service: 949-453-5300 Email: info@IRWD.com Website: IRWD.com
Join the conversation on social media.
@IrvineRanchWaterDistrict
@IRWDnews
@IRWDnews
IrvineRanchWD
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Powered by FlippingBook