Native Garden

Education Station #3

Native plants are essential for supporting local wildlife and ecosystems. They attract birds, insects, and small mammals, who depend on them for food and nesting materials. Native plants also require less water and help with soil health and erosion control. Anyone can participate in this effort by planting natives in their yard, in pots on their porch, or balcony.

OVGG’s Native Garden Bed Before vs After!

Developing Our Native Garden

The native garden at Ocean View Growing Grounds was created through the dedication of 13 volunteers who helped prepare the space during a community workday. This effort set the stage for our planting party, an event designed to highlight the crucial role native plants play in supporting local ecology, sustaining native pollinators, and increasing resilience to wildfires and drought.

To ensure the native plants had the best possible start, volunteers first removed invasive Bermuda grass, which can outcompete native species and hinder their growth. After clearing the area, we applied a method called solarization, laying down cardboard and mulch to block sunlight and naturally suppress any remaining grass and weeds without the use of herbicides. After a month of this process, the soil will be ready for planting.

Native Plants & Wildfires

As part of the environmental justice learning hub, the native garden serves as a living example of how we can adapt to climate change and restore ecological balance. By choosing native plants for our gardens, balconies, and porches, we provide essential habitat for the 1,600 species of native bees in California—many of which depend on specific native plants to survive. Additionally, native plants are naturally drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering once established, making them an excellent choice for water conservation.

Change begins at home, and planting native species is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to a healthier environment and more resilient ecosystems. With worsening wildfires in California due to climate change, removing invasive plants and reintroducing natives is essential. Invasive grasses die off every year, leaving a dead, dry blanket of tinder on the ground, causing fires to spread faster and more easily. Native California plants co-evolved with wildfires are more fire resistant and regenerate quicker after a wildfire event.

Learn more about Native Plants and our climate!

Native plants play a crucial role in drought resiliency and wildfire adaptation, particularly in regions with dry, fire-prone climates. Here’s why they matter:

1. Drought Resiliency

Deep Root Systems: Many native plants, such as California oaks, sages, and succulents, have deep or specialized roots that allow them to access water stored deep in the soil, making them more resilient to drought conditions.
Water Efficiency: Unlike non-native species that may require irrigation, native plants have evolved to survive with minimal water by reducing water loss through small or waxy leaves, dormancy periods, or water storage in stems and leaves.
Soil Health & Water Retention: Native plants improve soil quality by increasing organic matter and promoting the growth of beneficial fungi and microbes, enhancing the soil’s ability to retain moisture.
Reduced Need for Irrigation: Landscaping with native plants significantly reduces the demand for irrigation, conserving precious water resources.

2. Wildfire Adaptation

Lower Flammability: Many native species are adapted to withstand fire. Some have fire-resistant bark, limited dead material buildup, or store water in their leaves, making them less likely to ignite compared to invasive grasses and shrubs.
Post-Fire Regeneration: Many native plants, like chaparral shrubs and certain pine species, have adapted to regrow after wildfires. Some have seeds that only germinate after exposure to fire, ensuring regeneration in fire-adapted landscapes.
Reducing Fuel Loads: Unlike invasive species like cheatgrass, which dry out and create a thick, flammable fuel layer, native grasses and shrubs decompose differently, reducing overall fire intensity.
Ecosystem Recovery: Native plants help stabilize burned areas by preventing erosion and encouraging the return of native wildlife, which can help maintain a balanced ecosystem post-fire.

Examples of Drought- & Fire-Resilient Native Plants

California: Toyon, Manzanita, Ceanothus, Coast Live Oak, Purple Needlegrass
Southwest U.S.: Mesquite, Desert Willow, Creosote Bush, Agave
Pacific Northwest: Oregon White Oak, Kinnikinnick, Sword Fern

Why This Matters for Climate Adaptation

As climate change increases the frequency of droughts and wildfires, using native plants in landscaping and ecological restoration efforts can enhance the resilience of natural and urban environments. They support biodiversity, conserve water, and help mitigate the intensity of wildfires.

Enhance Wildlife Support

Native plants attract pollinators, such as bees, birds and butterflies. Pollinating is essential to the survival of most seed plants.

While bees might be the most well-known, other insects, including butterflies, flies, moths, beetles, and wasps, also pollinate. Birds, bats, other small mammals, and lizards can act as pollinators, as well