For much of the year, gardeners in our Mediterranean climate gaze at the dusty, golden hills dreaming of the first shower that will bring verdance back to the parched earth. During the summer months, irrigation from our public water supply keeps our plants from drying out, but it's difficult to mimic all the benefits of natural rainwater. Watering isolated areas of your garden's soil with drip irrigation and sprinklers is good, but often the root zone isn't thoroughly saturated. After a while what the plants really crave is a good, penetrating soak. Whether we get 9 inches or 29 inches, nothing fully recharges the soil or revitalizes the plants like a solid rain.

Ever wonder why leaves look so vibrant after a rain?

Rainwater is naturally distilled through evaporation prior to cloud formation, and is thus one of our purest sources of water. It also contains small doses of fertilizer and is considered ‘soft’ because of its lack of calcium and magnesium. Soft water is easier for plants to absorb the nutrients from, so after a rain everything from creeping grasses to towering redwoods takes on a healthy, vibrant glow.

This abundance of soft, nutrient-rich water, coupled with the cooler weather conditions, makes the rainy season an ideal time for planting. In the summertime plants undergo transplant shock once they're put in the ground. New roots dry out easily in the heat, and lack of water contributes to growth-stunting stress. Think of the climate from late fall through spring as a low-stress environment for new roots and shoots to take hold.

Say you've taken advantage of the abundant moisture and cool weather and planted a few of your favorite perennials this month. While you may not see booming growth in the leafy portions of plants, there's a subterranean party in the root zone: energy shifts from the leaves and stems, and root production becomes the focus. Roots systems continue to grow as long as the soil temperature is at least 50 degrees, which means most of the winter on the Central Coast is an ideal time for establishing new plants.

Cool season planting is not only good for the plants, it's good for the gardeners too! Springtime can be overwhelmingly busy with all the tasks of getting the garden looking its best. Fall time is more reflective, and allows us some time to evaluate the garden and make a priority list of improvements. Take a few minutes this month to stroll through your garden and jot down some notes about the successes and challenges of your landscape this year. Imagine where you would like to include more color, where you'd like to place a fountain, a fruit tree or a comfortable place to sit. I would be happy to develop a plan with you and arrange a meeting to develop your vision for the new year.

Warm wishes for a great holiday,

Gabriel