Native plant Care

Rewild Native Plant Care Guides

Rewild Ojai offers a variety of workshops throughout the year to provide native plant knowledge and hands-on experience. Based on our series of workshops, the following guides have been created to make this information available to everyone, regardless of their ability to attend the workshops. To look for upcoming workshops, check out our Rewild Ojai Events.

  • From Botanist and Native Plant Specialist, Sophie McLean, this pruning guide outlines the basics of pruning and also establishes the philosophy for building a relationship with the plants in your garden.

    Access the Pruning Guide

  • In this guide, learn about the history, evolution, and lives of native plants through their seeds. See how and when to collect different kinds of seed.

    Please note that seed collection is NOT allowed on OVLC Preserves. If you are planning on collecting seeds, you must get permission from landowners.

    Read the Seed Guide

  • Follow this guide to learn the basics for starting native plants from seed and how to plant a native plant.

    Access the guide

Other Plant Care resources

  • Follow Calscape's step-by-step guide to rewilding your garden. With clear instructions and tools to find local California native plants, this is a great place to start your rewilding journey.

    Calscape

  • Watering is one of the trickiest parts to master in a native garden. Unlike many other horticultural varieties, native plants are very particular about when and how much water they receive. Follow this California Native Plant Society guide to master watering.

    CNPS

  • This checklist from the Xerces Society provides a basic outline on how to tackle any pest issues in your garden without harming the plants or beneficial insects.

    Read the checklist here

  • Access the California Native Plant Society's breadth of resources to design and care for a native plant garden here. With landscaping tools and guides to water, prune, and more, this site provides excellent materials for new and experienced gardeners.

    CNPS

  • Native West's watering guide features concise information for watering your native garden.

    Watering Guide

  • Read this article on the Pros and Cons of lawn removal methods to learn more about different ways to remove your lawn and start the process of rewilding.

    Read the article here

  • Follow Theodore Payne's guide for getting native plants established during their first year in your garden. This guide outlines the basics of native plant care during year one.

    Theodore Payne's Guide

  • California Native Plants for the Garden is a comprehensive resource that features more than 500 of the best California native plants for gardening.

    Carol Bornstein is one of Southern California’s most highly respected native plant specialists and co-author with David Fross and Bart O’Brien of California Native Plants for the Garden (Cachuma Press, 2006). Carol was a horticulturist for the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for nearly thirty years.

    Buy the book here