San Francisco gardeners, any advice?

[UdoKier]

We just moved to SF and I'm using a little free time to re-do our tiny, scrubby backyard into a place the kids will want to play. It's a real bitch, sifting out all the rocks, redwood chips and glass that are mixed up in the soil. Today I also removed a way-too-big fig tree, a wild plum tree and a big mess of a bush. It's too small of a yard to really grow more than some grass and a few plantings right around the edeges, though I'm going to do a latticework with some wisteria along the back wall. The minute that gets overgrown at all it will be oppressive, so I'll have to keep it trimmed back carefully.

Anyone who has any suggestions for gardening here, I'd welcome it, as I'm still in the stage of cleaning up the old mess.

It seems that gardening here is pretty different than across the bay or inland locations. We are in a pretty cool, foggy area...

[Frances]

1. I have a suggestion

There is a section of Golden Gate Park where you can take a free tour (I guess you could check days and times on line). A volunteer guide gives info on the plants in the park and I'm sure could point you to some sources for the best plants for your purpose in your area. If I remember correctly, there is also a library with info on horticulture next to the entrance you will use to take the tour.

[UdoKier]

3. Thanks. That's a start.

The park's climate is pretty similar to ours, although our space is very limited.

[proud patriot]

2. Sorry, I'm inland where it bakes

:hi:

[UdoKier]

4. I'm not sure if I envy you or pity you...

I went to some friends' house on July 4th in Sonoma to the parade & fireworks (wonderful!) the kids got to play in the pool, must've been 90 degrees. Now they always want to go back to Uncle "Bob" and Aunt "May's". They kinda get annoyed at wearing sweaters in July...

But I love the cool, and the fog. Haven't even turned on a fan yet since we got here.

San Diego was definitely warmer, but I liked when it got foggy there too.

[LeftCoast]

5. It depends on what micro-climate you live in (seriously)

If you live in the Mission or in the SE corner of the city, you can easily grow sub-tropical and some tropical plants such as bannana trees. Really, just about anything will grow in this region. On my side of the city, on a hill in the fog belt it can be a much more difficult job to find things that thrive. You have to have a hardy plant that can tolerate a summer cycle of 3-4 cold, wet days followed by 3-4 days of bright sunny weather, not to mention all the salt in the air. Some plants just don't seem to hold up well. On the positive side, if you like carnivorous plants, the environment is just about perfect if you create the right soil conditions. They're not for everyone of course. :)

A good place to go for general SF plants and info is Sloat Garden Center on Sloat Ave, across from the SF Zoo.

Good luck with your planting.

[murphymom]

6. A really good reference

is the Sunset Western Garden Book. You should be able to find it at a local garden center or amazon.com. It's been my gardening bible for years.

It breaks the whole west down into the various microclimates and has a great encyclopedia of plants. Sunset has quite a few other gardening and landscaping guides that have a lot of good ideas, you can check their web site www.sunset.com.

[Duncan Grant]

7. Take a visit to the Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park.

http://www.strybing.org/

If you're in the avenues, the Arboretum might be a good place to start. Their climate is probably similar to yours. BTW, a lot of South African plants do well out there.

Leftcoast is right about the micro-climates! You'll have to look around your neighborhood to see what's thriving.

Sloat also has a small nursery just off Clement St. they often have little rarities that the more busy store (out by the zoo) doesn't have. I live in a warmer part of town than the avenues but if you let me know your favorite plants/flowers, I may be able to tell you how much success I've had with them.

Welcome to SF (and DU)! :hi:

[Frances]

8. You provided all of the specific info I referred to in a general

way in my post.

[UdoKier]

10. I do live in the ave's though the back yard is a little protected

...not as windswept as some places I've seen. I've noticed fuschia and wisteria doing well, as well as some little pansy-like flowers I don't know the name of. Some of the stuff in the back yard is doing well, but I am ripping most of it out anyway beacuse it's all too big for such a small yard. I have a big aloe that' beautiful but too big. I'm gonna feel horrible ripping it out. I wonder if it would do well if I tried to pot it.

Thanks for the Sunset book idea.

[mulsh]

9. Sunset Western Gardening book

long considered "the bible" for gardening in these parts.this book helps in pretty much every micro climate out here.

the above suggestions are great.


If you get a chance go to the east bay and check out The UC Botanical Gardens, examples of every type of habitat except arctic. Located behind the university in Strawberry Canyon.

[UdoKier]

11. Thanks all.

I'll keep, Sunset, Strybing and Sloat in mind. The three S's!

[Blue Gardener]

12. Take advantage of the local nurseries

I find most anywhere in the country you can go to local nurseries and they are pretty helpful, especially if you go during an off-peak time and they have a little more time to spend with you. They know what does and does not do well in your area.