Native Gardening—The beautiful, temperate climate
we enjoy here in Niguel Shores is host to a year-round growing season for a wide variety of flora. Our Mediterranean climate is exemplified by cool, dry summers and warm, moist winters. However, during the past decade, our winters have not supplied the storms necessary to sustain water usage levels in Southern California. As a result, we are frequently faced with water usage restrictions.
In response, many Niguel Shores residents take the com- mon sense approach of adding drought tolerant landscaping to reduce water usage. “Native gardening” (the placement of plants and succulents native to our environment) requires less water, fertilizer and pesticides, and offers a simple, low maintenance strategy. Native plants have developed their own defenses against disease and they offer the bonus of attracting beneficial species like hummingbirds, bees and Monarch butterflies.
Landscape or Hardscape Changes—If you decide to make landscape or hardscape improvements, please keep in mind that it is necessary to present the Association with an application that includes a design plan showing irrigation, drainage, the plantings to be used, and any grading changes if applicable.
We do this for several important reasons: Changes in grading or drainage should be made thoughtfully to prevent damage to surrounding homes or erosion of slopes and to integrate with the drainage design of our streets. Also, many plant species are considered invasive, while others may grow so tall as to impinge on views.
You can find the one-page application on the niguelshores.org website. It’s an easy process and we can even offer helpful suggestions. As always, feel free to contact the Association
Office at (949) 493-0122.
—Mike Stively
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