- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The economic benefits of dedicating some farmland to grow native plants are not well understood. But for Winters farmer John Anderson, the question is less one of dollars and more one of sense, according to an article in the Vacaville Reporter.
As part of a Food Systems and Sustainability Symposium held at the UC Davis Agricultural Sustainability Institute recently, participants toured Anderson's Hedgerow Farms, where he produces more than 60 native plant species on 400 acres.
Anderson said native plants attract beneficial bugs, reduce erosion, stop invasive weeds, boost crop...
/span>- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
There are many good reasons to plant California native plants in the landscape, and right now is a good time to do so, according to an article that ran over the weekend in the Sacramento Bee.
Native plants attract beneficial insects and birds, use up to 75 percent less water than conventional shrubs and lawn, require less work and are resistant to pests.
In September and October, the soil is warm enough in most parts of California to encourage native plant's root growth and winter rain will irrigate the new plants. The plants will be ready to produce abundant flowers in the spring, the article said.