Experts say the key to a successful spring garden in Brentwood is choosing climate-appropriate plants and setting a foundation for a beautiful, thriving landscape through the warmer months.
Irma Perez, owner of Perez Nursery and Landscaping in Brentwood, said spring is one of the best times to start a flower garden in Brentwood. “My top recommendation is to begin with healthy soil and choose plants suited to our climate — hot and dry,” Perez said.
These plants include drought-tolerant and heat-loving varieties such as lavender, salvia, ceanothus, and ornamental grasses, all of which do “especially well in the Brentwood and East Bay area,” she said. “Seasonal color can be achieved with perennials and annuals like geraniums, petunias, and marigolds.”
Use quality planting mix and prepare your soil properly by “loosening existing soil and mixing in a quality planting mix to improve drainage and root growth,” she said, adding that mulch helps retain moisture and protect plants. This will set the foundation for long-term success. “I encourage homeowners to plan their layout ahead of time, considering sun exposure and spacing so plants have room to grow and thrive,” Perez said. “We are also seeing increased interest in pollinator-friendly plants that attract bees and butterflies such as ceanothus, also known as California lilac, California poppy, western redbud, manzanita, yarrow, fescue, erysium, and lupine.”
Perez emphasized that early spring as being ideal for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials, “allowing them to establish before the summer heat. Annual flowers can be planted once the risk of frost has passed, and vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers typically do best when planted mid- to late spring.”
An important step to a plant’s health is how to water them. The best time is early in the morning, which allows moisture to reach the roots before the heat of the day, she said.
Perez noted that “deep, less frequent watering is more beneficial than shallow daily watering, as it encourages stronger root systems. It’s also important to adjust watering schedules as temperatures rise.”
The biggest mistake homeowners make is planting without considering sun exposure, soil, and plant size”, she said. Choosing the right plant for the right place is key in Brentwood’s climate,” Perez said.
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