Tip of the Week: Fire-Safe Landscaping

Gardeners in fire-prone areas, such as Southern California, can follow these simple planting tactics to reduce the dangers to their home and landscape:

Arrange plants as single specimens or in small groupings, allowing ample space between the plantings.

Mulch with decorative gravel rather than tree bark.

Make maintenance a top priority: regularly prune out deadwood and overgrowth in trees, shrubs and groundcovers.

Keep the landscape hydrated, especially during Santa Ana conditions.

Read more about fire-wise planting and fireproof plants.

Do you have a tip or trick to share with other gardeners? E-mail edit@hortmag.com or post it in the Co-Horts’ Forum. Your tip could be featured in a future e-newsletter or on our blog.