A large oak stood on a ridge. Its thick branches of curved spiked leaves reached out to protect the bright sage by dark brown late summer crisped flowers of California buckwheat, still in the paltry breeze. How do these plants grow without much rain? These plants are native, right?
Yes, there are, but you can over water them during the summer. The heat and wet make the roots moist and ready for bacteria that could damage the plant. So, you plant them when it is wet and cold: October and November. Master Gardeners say to plant oaks like this one. This place, this region was full of them and their shade, stature against the wind, and nutrients and more nurture the smaller ones and the outstanding biodiversity of this region that’s in danger without them.