- Plant the larger plants. Before installing the weed barrier or mulch, plant any 5 gallon or larger plants. Smaller plants can be added later.
- Dig a hole. Using a shovel, dig a hole that is as deep as the rootball and 3 times wider than it.
- Rough up the root ball, and cut away any large roots that have circled at the bottom of the container.
- Partially backfill the hole with soil mixed with compost, place the plant in it, backfill the hole completely and then gently press the plant in.
Tip: Select the right plant for the right place! Here are some guidelines for selecting the correct plant:
- Know Your Place: Get to know your site’s microclimates—those shady spots, dry patches, places where the soil is rocky, and so on. Before you shop for plants, do some homework and learn about plants that are well suited to the particular conditions on your site.
- Be Adaptive: Select mostly California native and Mediterranean climate plants that are adapted to six-month dry seasons. EBMUD’s award-winning book, Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates, features more than 650 native Californian and Mediterranean plants suited to California climates.
- Diversify Your Plant Portfolio: Plant diverse sizes and types of plants, and choose plants that flower and fruit at different times, to ensure year-round interest in the landscape for both humans and wildlife.
- Plant Mostly Perennials: They make garden maintenance easier, often require less irrigation, and result in less waste compared to annual plants.
- Plant a Tree or Three: Plant trees for beauty, shade, windbreaks, shelter for birds and insects, keeping more rainwater on site, and helping fight global warming.
- Stop the Spread: Avoid invasive plant species, including periwinkle, English ivy, French and Scotch broom, and pampas grass. Learn about alternatives to invasive plants, check out our plant lists.
- Look Ahead: Consider the mature size and shape of the plants you choose and place them in areas that will allow them to assume their natural form.