Hello, looking for advice on where to start with my backyard. For context, we just bought this home in June of 2024 in northern CA and it was built only a few months prior. It’s very rocky and hard to dig. We are in a constant battle with star thistle and there is the random patch of tall grass-like plant in the middle. The backyard gets hit all afternoon with sun, as we have no shade because there are no surrounding trees (major wildfire in 2018) but we do get decent rain in the wet seasons.
I don’t care to have a lucious green lawn at any point but want to know where I should start in terms of prep to grow some types of native plants/grasses or ground cover in the future. Should I till everything and mulch? What kind of mulch if so? As for trees, what would do best here? We just want to bring some life to our yard and improve soil quality/prevent erosion and so on. TYIA
by CapitalAnxious5601
5 Comments
http://calscape.org is a great resource. What I would do is think about your large plants first (trees/large shrubs) then fill in with smaller perennials and annuals. Consider their mature size when planning and spacing. I would also consider what and where you
may want hardscape. is there irrigation? Because even drought tolerant natives will likely need some supplemental irrigation even after they are established, but especially the next 2ish years after planting I would sheet mulch (layer of compost with layer of cardboard on top) now and plant soon. Fall/Winter are great times to plant natives in California. Regarding the cardboard, remove any tape and preferably nothing that is treated. Costco has tons of free cardboard with no ink or tape, look in between the shelves.
On a piece of paper. Draw it all out. You have a HUGE yard. Think of all the elements you’ve ever liked in backyards and start planning! You really could have a pool, a koi pond, a garden…a play place for the kids…just about anything!
If you in California, Manzanita trees and ground cover, dwarf coyote bush, ceanothus, salvia, buckwheat look good all year round.
I’m no expert but I wouldn’t till. I’d focus on planting some native grass seed first. Then shrubs/trees and mulch around those. If you till you will only stir up unwanted weed seeds that have been buried or gone dormant. You’ll be CONSTANTLY weeding, and your grass you planted will have to outcompete the weeds you brought to the surface.
I wouldn’t worry about the soil structure because simply having something growing in the soil will dramatically improve the soil structure. It would be nice to till and introduce organic matter to the soil, but tbh the amount of weeding wouldn’t be worth it for me.
I’ve done both methods and no-till has proved to be way more efficient in my experience. I can notice a difference in months and the soil dramatically changes in only a year or two. Like I said I’m not an expert but I hate weeding.
A plan. Come up with a plan on paper or in a landscape design program before doing anything physical