Putting Down Roots

Restoring a Small Piece of California with Native Plants & Finding Home in the Process

  • Native Seeds + Rain = Wow!

    Even after 3.5 years of living in California, I’m still surprised (and a little weirded out) by what happens this time of year. The first couple of rains hit, and BOOM! Wildflower seedlings come bursting out everywhere. And, most of… Continue reading

    Native Seeds + Rain = Wow!

  • It’s not just about the plants

    For me, planting native plants is about healing the land and restoring some of the natural biodiversity that was here before settlers came and destroyed pretty much everything in their path. Part of that means that more birds, insects, and… Continue reading

    It’s not just about the plants

  • Second wave of wildflowers

    Whew! Life has been a whirlwind since I last posted here. Just in the last two weeks, I’ve been to Massachusetts and back, gotten Covid (for the 2nd time), had an in-person job interview, been on three different guided nature… Continue reading

    Second wave of wildflowers

  • Six on Saturday

    Hello, friends! It’s a chilly morning here in Northern California. I’ve got a warm cat on my lap, another one curled up next to me, and hot coffee in my favorite mug. Time for a (mostly) native plant project update!… Continue reading

    Six on Saturday

  • Six on Saturday

    I recently learned about the Six on Saturday gardening meme (see Garden Ruminations’ participant guide) and thought it would be a good way to get back into the habit of posting. There’s been lots happening with my native plant project,… Continue reading

    Six on Saturday

  • Keeping it real

    When I started this blog a few months ago, I wanted to share the good and the bad, the wins and the flops. Yes, it’s wonderful to see amazing photos of people’s beautiful, lush plants and gardens for inspiration. But… Continue reading

    Keeping it real

  • Tiny victories and more questions

    My California native plant conversion project and I are in a bit of a holding pattern. I’ve been trying not to spend money except on absolute necessities, so new plants aren’t in the budget for a little while. At the… Continue reading

    Tiny victories and more questions

  • When hope is gone, listen to the plants.

    It’s been hard to write lately. There’s been so much terrifying, disturbing, and angering news that it feels overwhelming. Which I know is the intent of those in power. Each time I start to feel hopeless or unsure of what… Continue reading

    When hope is gone, listen to the plants.

  • Welcome to Penstemon Alley!

    That’s what I call the narrow garden bed that leads up to the front steps of the house. There are four different penstemons in that bed, although one is actually a Keckiella (Yellow Bush Penstemon, Keckiella antirrhinoides), and two are… Continue reading

    Welcome to Penstemon Alley!

  • What’s next? Some of the native plant projects on my list

    There hasn’t been much to report the last week with this native plant journey. It’s been raining a lot (yay – happy plants!!!!), so I haven’t spent as much time outside. Everything is still budding and growing, but none of… Continue reading

    What’s next? Some of the native plant projects on my list