The Secret to Garden Success

The Secret: Know your planting zone and microclimate

The view from Toro Canyon allows a view of the Montecito, Santa Barbara and beyond

The first step to garden success is knowing your planting zone and the microclimates within that zone.

The concept of microclimates is particularly applicable in Santa Barbara because of its unique location along California’s Central Coast. The close proximity of the mountains to the sea present a unique set of challenges. This is likely true no matter where you live. But, as Santa Barbara is our home, it is where we know best.

The Micro-climates of Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara beaches are the best in the world, uncrowded and pristine.

Per Sunset magazine, all of Santa Barbara is in planting zone 24. However, within that zone there are a variety of Microclimates that you should be familiar with.

From the mountains to the sea, Carpinteria to Santa Barbara and Goleta, we live in paradise and no matter where you live, it is the ideal climate. That’s one reason everyone wants to live here. However within our Eden, there are a variety of mini-planting zones, and knowing your property’s unique Microclimate can make the difference between success and failure in your landscape. The Hedgerows of Montecito differ from Mission Canyon and of course living on the beach is a whole other thing.

Zone 1-On the Beach

The iconic Montecito Biltmore will hopefully reopen soon. Here you can see the perfect Montecito landscape design for the beach

A few blocks off the beach is even different than ON the beach and this would give us our first two zones. The beach is unique for the gardener as plants here must be salt-tolerant. Salt Bush (Atriplex) and Sea Lavender (Limonium) come to mind as plants that do well on the beach.

 Zone 2

In this Montecito garden just blocks from the beach, allows the use of hydrangeas, camellias and other shade lovers

 From the mountain side of a beach house to about the 101, a few blocks, is zone two. Here the variety of options for the gardener expands greatly. Except for Roses, Stone Fruits and the plants that like a cold winter and hot summer, most garden favorites thrive. Plants usually requiring shade such as Azaleas, Camellias, Fuchsias, Hydrangea and Impatiens can be planted in the full sun in this second zone. The marine mist creates a shade house effect.

 zone 3

Montecito’s Hedgerow District is the idea climate for any type of garden.

From the 101 up to East Valley Road and Foothill Rd is the third micro-climate zone. Here we have the Hedgerow District, Downtown Santa Barbara and other densely landscaped neighborhoods in which an even wider variety of plant material flourishes. Old photos and paintings of this area reveal large bare areas between the creeks. When the ranches, estates and later the neighborhoods sprung up, they planted orchards, screens, hedges, shade trees and everything you see there today. This planting has created a new, man-made micro-climate having more wind protection, moisture and shade than before.

Above Foothill Rd is the sun zone, where drought tolerant and California native plants are used. This modern take on a cottage garden says it all

June Gloom, Fog, Marine Layer or whatever you wish to call it is another climatic condition we have to deal with from the sea up to and including this third zone. Most plants do very well here even Roses and Stone Fruits, Citrus, Avocados, Oak trees, Olives, Lavender, Rosemary and the full panoply of Mediterranean plants.

Zone 4

San Ysidro Ranch, ideally located on Mountain Drive and has the ideal planting climate where Roses and fruit trees flourish

Above East Valley Road and Foothill, up to Mountain Drive, you are above it all. If there is a gloomy June it usually melts off earlier in this area than down in the flats. We are getting into the canyons here. The terrain is more severe, the winds are stronger and the sun hotter. Zone four could even be considered to be “California Chaparral” for its temperate climate. It is a good idea for residences in the Chaparral to meet their Native plants and work with them. Here also, you need to apply the basics of Firewise landscaping.

 Zone 5

Atop San Marcos Pass along Camino Cielo (sky highway) give a view of Santa Barbara that is unparalleled. Native plants are the way to go

This advice applies as well to Zone five, above Mountain Drive up to the top of San Marcos Pass and Camino Cielo. Here are the foothills. This is the hot spot of Montecito and Santa Barbara. This is the area where Roses and Stone Fruits and other plants that like a cold winter and hot summer can grow and thrive. It is also an area to simply enjoy the natural setting and spectacular views while leaving the gardening up to the Gods.

 No matter your microclimate, Santa Barbara offers an abundance of choices for landscape design. After 53 years, we have seen it all and have an abundance of ideas. Schedule a FREE home garden consultation today.

If you can’t wait, CALL NOW. 805-9693984.

Until next time, fill your garden with joy, Lisa & Chris