Top 5 South Lake Tahoe Gardening Tips

As Summer starts to heat up, many people are in full swing gardening mode in South Lake Tahoe! Many home owners and renters are out sprucing up their homes. Turning dirt, spreading seed and planting flowers. The list goes on as people vie to have the greenest lawn and the brightest daisies.

As you dream up your master garden plan make sure to keep a few things in mind.

1. Choose plants that are native to the area and are perennials.

Native plants thrive the best as they are accustom to the environment.

Native plants consume far less water than their counter parts and perennials will come back year after year even through the harsh South Lake Tahoe winters. Plants such as Columbine, Blue flag iris, Lupine and Jacob’s ladder are all native to the area and also require less water. These plants help to maintain the natural environment while giving your garden a splash of color.

2. Water on the right day and the right way.In the South Lake Tahoe, homes with even numbered address may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Homes with odd numbers address may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. There is no watering allowed on Saturdays, as this is the day with the highest usage.

Use grass to accent planters and flower beds.

3. Less is More!When it comes to grass less really is more. Less grass means more free time! Large areas of grass require much more time and maintenance along with added costs. Recently, the South Lake Tahoe area has switched over to metered water usage rater than a flat rate. That means some people with large grassy yards will be seeing large inflated water bills. Use grass sparingly to accent planters, flower beds and other lawn decorations.

Make sure to create a defensible space around your home.

4. Remove dead vegetation and create a defensible space around your home. We live in a wildfire prone area as seen with the Angora fire in 2007 and the Gondola fire in 2002. Make sure to store firewood and other combustible items including wood scrapes, grass clippings and leaf piles at least 30 feet up hill away from your home.

5. Deign your garden for water efficiency. Inefficient watering on Tahoe landscapes leads to runoff and erosion that damage the Lake clarity. Group plants according to the amount of water they use and sun required. Mulch is an excellent tool to reduce water loss from soil surfaces. Organic mulch acts as an insulating blanket, maintaining a consistent temperature and reducing moisture evaporation from soil.