Install water-friendly plants
Enough with the mixed messages from The Bee.
Your front page headline on Sept. 3 says that “Fresno meets water mandate.” Turn down your outdoor water use (great advice).
Your Home and Garden section includes a Garden Checklist that says “Fall is a great time to plant trees and perennials” (great advice).
Your lead article from in the Home and Garden section states “We are limiting or completely curtailing putting in replacement or new plantings” (how confusing).
Our landscapes and our urban forests have a powerful impact on how we feel about our communities. The clear message about planting trees, shrubs and flowers is to install the right plant in the right spot, one that will thrive in years that we receive normal water and survive when we don’t. Choose wisely. There are plenty of water-friendly trees, shrubs and perennial flowers to choose from.
Most importantly, fall is the ideal time to install replacement plants. Get the roots established before it gets hot again next summer, and you will be successful!
Jon Reelhorn, certified arborist, Sanger
This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Install water-friendly plants."