Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada takes us on a road trip to San Francisco to help a homeowner renovate her front yard. Homes in California are highly susceptible to wildfires, so Jenn enlists the help of a local expert to design a safe landscape that is filled with fire-resistant plants while also meeting the homeowner’s tastes and needs.
Understanding Zones
When it comes to firescaping around a home, there are two zones to be aware of: the 0-5 zone and the 5-30 zone. The 0-5 zone describes the area up to 5 feet from the foundation, and it should not have any plants or burnable materials inside it. The 5-30 zone can contain native plants separated by hardscape materials like stones, pavers, or larger boulders.
Learn more about plant hardiness zones here.
Choose Firewise Plants
You can keep your home safe by introducing firewise plants into the landscaping design. These are typically native plants without a lot of oils that can combust. In the California area, this could include Franciscan Manzanita, narrow milkweed, showy milkweed, yarrow, buckwheat, eyebrow grass, and California coffee berry.
0 to 5 Zone: Smart Hardscaping Design
Fireproof hardscaping materials are an important aspect of landscape design in wildfire-prone areas. Popular materials include using base rock instead of landscape fabric, thick layers of crushed stone, and river rock or cobble to divide spaces.
Patios created from gravel are simple ways to create safe hardscape areas. Also, using boulders for soil retention creates a natural-looking break and structure for the space.
5 to 30 Zone: Firewise Planting
Create an island of native plants in the 5-30 zone. These plants are more likely to stay hydrated during wildfire season since they’re used to the conditions. Here’s how to plant them:
- Dig holes that are as deep as the pot the plants come in and twice as wide.
- Place your hand on the base of the soil around the plant and flip the plant over. Remove the pot.
- Lightly scratch up the root ball to loosen the roots.
- Place the plant in the hole so the tops of their soil are level with the ground around it, and then backfill with soil.
- Promote moisture retention by spreading mulch around the plants.
Moisture is Key
The best way to protect the new garden is to water frequently, keeping the plants hydrated. Give the plants a deep soak a few days a week, increasing or decreasing as you get to know the plants.
Resources
California Flora Nursery is a nursery in Northern California that specializes in harvesting, propogating, and distributing native only plant species. Owner Josh Williams recommends a number of plants for the project, including:
These plants can be found at local nurseries and some can be found in home centers.
Jenn then worked with April Owens Designs to create a “firewise” landscape. For the stones, Jenn and April installed the following:
- Crushed stone, for the base
- 1-½ ft Yosemite tan decorative stone for the patio area
- Small Noiyo cobbles, for the walkway and accent area around the patio.
Each of these stone types can be found at certain garden centers and landscape supply stores.
Expert assistance with this project was provided by E. Lopez Landscaping and Pollinate Collective, LLC.