Sandy soil gardening - notes

1/7/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden Gardening on Sand

Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants August 1st & 4th 2009
Project SOUND - 2009
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

What is a sandy soil?
Our mission: to make this garden more water-wise
 Soil: a combination of sand,
silt, clay, minerals and
organic matter that also
contains some air and water.

 Clay soils are sometimes
referred to as heavy soils
and sandy soils are called
http://www.soilsensor.com/soiltypes.aspx
light.

 Sandy soils contain high
proportions (60% or more)
of larger (sand) particles.
Many ‘sandy soils’ are
actually sandy loams –
wonderful garden soils

http://chiotsrun.com/2009/04/28/the-balance-of-nature-growing-soil/ © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.your-healthy-gardens.com/soil.html

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Tests for sandy soil: sedimentation test The sedimentation  Sand Layer: settles in 1-2 minutes
process  Allow suspended soil to settle for about a
minute.
 Fill a quart jar 2/3 full with  Mark the side of the jar at the top of
water the layer that has settled out.

 Add dry soil (break up clods)  Silt Layer: settles in 1 hour
until water is within 1” of top  Set jar aside, being careful not to mix
of jar. the sand layer; wait ~ an hour.
 Mark the top of the Silt Layer on the
 Put the lid on the jar and side of the jar.
shake it energetically until
 Clay layer: settles in ~24 hours
everything is swirling around.
 Set jar aside, being careful not to shake
Then set it aside and let it or mix the layers that have settled out.
settle, and mark layers until  After 24 hours, or when the water is
the water clears. clear (more or less), mark the jar at the
The percentage of top of the clay layer.
 The layers indicate just how each layer tells you
much sand, silt and clay make what kind of soil you  Most of the organic matter will be
up your soil. have.
floating on the top of the water


Sandy Soils  Are also common in Southern
Loam Soils California, particularly in the
valleys and flat areas (flood
 Sandy soils are found throughout plains) surrounding rivers and
Southern California, but are very streams.
common near the mountain
foothills, along rivers and  Loam soils are typically
streams, in desert areas and comprised of approximately 25
certain coastal areas. - 50% sand, 30 - 50% silt and
 Sandy soils are typically 10 - 30% clay by volume.
comprised of approximately 80 -
100% sand, 0 - 10% silt and 0 -  Loam soils are somewhat
10% clay by volume. heavier than sandy soils
 Sandy soils are light and typically  Tend to be fairly free draining,
very free draining, usually again, due to typically low
holding water very poorly due to
very low organic content. organic content.
 You may want to concentrate on  A wide range of plants grow
plants that thrive in sandy soils well in loamy soils
1:1:1 soils

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1/7/2013

Challenges of local sandy soils Benefits of sandy soils
 Poor moisture retention: Because it retains
moisture poorly, plants in sandy soil suffer from  Easier to plant in
drying out quickly
 Heat stress: Sandy soil does not moderate heat  Harder to overwater; less
as well as other soils. It heats up quickly during
the day and cools rapidly at night, stressing susceptible to ‘El Nino
plants and making it difficult for tender seedlings disasters’
to thrive.
 Infertility: Sandy soil usually does not contain
much organic matter, and what is there breaks
 Roots grow easily in loose
down more quickly than it does in other types of soils
http://www.self-sufficient-home.com/166-
sandy-garden-soil.html soil, especially in warm climates. Soluble nutrients
quickly leach out with rain and irrigation.
 Some native plants are
Fortunately, native plants  pH: coastal and desert sands may be alkali specifically adapted to
from sandy soil regions (pH > 8.0)
are well adapted to all of
 Rooting: Takes a while for roots to gain enough
sandy or rocky soils – these
these conditions
‘purchase’ to support larger plants will thrive in your sandy soil!


1. Plant with the rains in sandy soils
Keys to succeeding with sandy soils
 Why plant with the rains?
 Saves water – soils are naturally moist
1. Plant with the rains during the critical first few months
2. Use the Water Zone system to group  Vulnerable plants get the best water
plants possible

3. Choose appropriate plants  Vulnerable plants are not exposed to
temperature extremes
4. Start out with small plants
 Soils are well-saturated – promotes
5. Mulch – with appropriate mulch deep/wide root growth
6. Water correctly; monitor  Coincides with native plant’s normal
7. If fertilizing, low dose & more often growth cycle; plants are primed to
grow at this time

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1/7/2013

2. Group your plants according to Water Zones Gardens in Mediterranean climates
(including S. CA) have three Water Zones

 Zone 1 – no supplemental water; soils are
dry in summer/fall. May or may not be
planted.
 Zone 2 – occasional summer water; soil is
allowed to dry out between waterings
 Zone 3 – regular water; soil is usually moist
to soggy, even in summer.


The secret of a water-wise garden is to prioritize water Your Water Zone plan directs many other
needs and group plants with similar requirements decisions in your garden plan

Regular water
 Choice of plants
 Soil amending (if any)
Pretty dry
drought-
tolerant
 Use/type of mulch
plants
 Frequency of watering
 Type of ‘irrigation
system’

‘Water-wise’ ; occasional summer water
http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/pages/g00101.asp

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1/7/2013

This yard has some natural Water Zones Amending sandy soils: yes or no?

 The best way to amend is with
composted organic material
 Good/necessary choice for:
 Vegetable gardens
 Non-native plants

 Problems (for native plants)
 May change soil pH
 Increases nutrient levels – may
be too high for many natives
Zone 3 – regularly  Not needed – many natives are
watered
fine with most local sandy soils


Selective amendment for special areas 3. Choose plants that thrive in sandy soils
 Raised beds for
vegetable gardens
 Planters & pots
 Selective amendment
of Zone 3 beds

http://my.kitchengardeners.org/profile/PeterGleason

http://www.floridata.com/tracks/transplantedgardener/composting.cfm

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1/7/2013

Areas with plants adapted to sandy soils
Beach Bluffs Restoration Project
 Local areas:
 Coastal strand/sandy
bluffs
 Coastal Prairie/shrubland

 Southern coast (San
Diego Co.) & Baja
 Northern coast
 Particularly good for
groundcover plants
 Plants will need a little
extra water
 S. CA deserts


Coastal Marsh plants are Zone 2 to 3 plants
Strand/Bluff plants: Zone 1 with some dry-season fog;
unique to our low-lying coastal area
many are OK with Zones 1 to 2 in sandy soils

http://www.tijuanaestuary.com/beaches.asp

 Dune Buckwheat
 Deervetch
 CA poppy
http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/pdf/planning/SPLG.pdf

 as well as some low-lying plants found mostly quite
near the shore:  Many unique plants that can tolerate sandy soils, salt spray &
 Red Sand Verbena saltwater, flooding
 Silver Beach Burr  Characteristics: short, spreading; mostly herbaceous perennials;
 Pacific Cinquefoil can be used alone or as mixed groundcovers
 others listed for ‘seaside conditions’

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1/7/2013

Contouring for water management and This yard has some natural Zone 3 areas
conservation
 Small elevation changes (1-3
ft.) in a landscape can work
Could capture more water from the roof
wonders:
 Provide a greater range of Water
Zones: high areas will be drier –
low areas wetter

 Allow local native plants to be
grown in clay soils – provide
better drainage

 Allow good use of seasonal
rainfall – channel rainwater into
Zone 3 – regularly
depressions (water gardens) or watered
swales


Salty Susan/ Fleshy Jaumea – Jaumea carnosa Salty Susan/ Marsh Jaumea – Jaumea carnosa

 Coastal region from British
Columbia to N. Baja
 Always found in marshy or
moist places:
 Margins of coastal salt
marshes and tidal flats
where there is protection
from wave action
 Coastal strand
 Bases of sea cliffs
 Named after Jean Henri
Jaume Saint-Hilaire (1772-
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1464,1465
1845), a French botanist &
artist who was interested in
practical uses of native
plants

http://www.coloradolagoon.org/focl/gallery.html © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

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1/7/2013

Salty Susan is one of several local native The flowers are a surprise!
coastal groundcovers
 Size:  Blooms: spring/summer; usually
May-Sept in W. L.A. County
 low – generally < 1 ft tall
 spreading to 3-5+ ft wide  Flowers:
 Typical for Sunflower family –
 Growth form:
many flowers in heads
 Low, herbaceous perennial
 Both ray & disk flowers are
groundcover
bright yellow
 Plants are dioecious –
 Foliage: separate male & female plants
 Fleshy, succulent  Great nectar & pollen source –
 gray-green or blue-green color attracts many insects
 Leaves narrow – somewhat like
some iceplants  Seeds:
 Small – Sunflower-like – on
 Roots: female plants
Gerald and Buff Corsi © California Academy of Sciences  Spreads via rhizomes  Eaten by birds
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3592688234_cc697124da.jpg?v=0
http://www.westernwildflower.com/plant%20index.htm

Salty Susan grows on  Soils: Salty Susan is a true
 Texture: sandy to clay native groundcover
marsh edges
 pH: any local including alkali
(pH > 8.0)
 Fine with salty soils, seaside  A replacement for Ice Plant on
conditions; roots exclude salt
sandy soils, banks
 Light: full sun
 In naturally wet areas of the
 Water: garden
 Winter: needs goo winter http://www.land8lounge.com/profile/JeremySison
 Low spots that get very moist
water – takes some flooding
in winter
 Summer: likes a moist soil
best – Water Zones 2 to 3  Under birdbath; near ponds
 Would be fine with sprinkler  Edges of irrigated areas
overflow, or water from a
neighbor’s yard  As an unusual pot/planter plant

 Fertilizer: none needed; likes  As an excellent addition to a
© 2008 R.C. Brody
poor soils, but light fertilizer coastal habitat garden
won’t kill it
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2845181216_985fa34707.jpg?v=0

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1/7/2013

Grow Salty Susan with other local natives Local native plants from Coastal Prairie/scrublands
associates for a mixed goundcover are naturals for Zone 1 to 2

 Grasses:
 Saltgrass – Distichlis spicata
 Thingrass – Agrostis pallens
 Carex (sedge) species

 Perennial creepers:
 Stachys (Woodmints)
 Achillea (Yarrow)
 Artemisias
 Fragaria (strawberry)
 And others (see Sandy Soils
Zone 3 – regularly
list) watered
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/marshjaumea.html

Use the Preserve & gardens as sources
of inspiration
Many local native grasses thrive on sandy soils…

Thin grass – Agrostis pallens

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1/7/2013

….and don’t forget our annual wildflowers Hairy (Coastal) Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula

Fiddlenecks Coastal Tidytips

Blue Dicks
Redmaids

Goldfields
Miniature Lupine
© 2005 Doreen L. Smith

© Project SOUND
Grindelia hirsutula var. hirsutula © Project SOUND

Hairy (Coastal) Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula Hairy (Coastal) Gumplant – Grindelia hirsutula
 Var. hisutula – coastal, including
western L.A. Co., coast near Santa
Monica Mtns.

var. hirsutula  Var. maritima – north & central CA
coast
 Both:
 Coastal areas; sea bluffs and
slopes
 Sandy soils

var. maritima

© 2008 Jorg Fleige

Grindelia hirsutula var. maritima
http://www.coestatepark.com/grindelia_hirsutula.htm © Project SOUND http://www.coestatepark.com/grindelia_hirsutula.htm
© Project SOUND
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?609,1255,1260,1264

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1/7/2013

Hairy Gumplant - an herbaceous perennial Flowers are pure gold
 Size:  Blooms: spring-summer – usually
 1-3 ft tall (v. maritima 1-2 ft) June-Aug in S. Bay
 1-3 ft wide
 Flowers:
 Growth form:  Typical sunflower heads with
 Herbaceous perennial; dies well-developed ray flowers
back in fall (maritima has more ray flowers)
 Many slender stems from  Bright golden yellow
woody rootstock  Profuse bloomer – even with
 May be upright or more leaning little summer water
(maritima)  Pollinator magnets!!
 Foliage: © 2008 Jorg Fleige
 Seeds:
 Blue-green, tinged with red,  Small, but edible
purple or yellow  Birds love them!
 More refined-looking than
other Grindelia species  Vegetative reproduction: not a
© 2000 Joseph Dougherty/ecology.org
real spreader
https://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/d%20-%20g/grindelia_hirsutula.htm

Grindelias are useful Hairy Gumplant – a natural
plants as well for the perennial bed
 At back of mixed flowers
 Native American kids beds
chewed the ‘gum’ – latex  Along walls, fences
probably protects young
 Fine on slopes
flower buds from predation
 Easy, adaptable & hardy
 Tea from flowers/leaves
used for coughs – don’t
over-use
 Tincture (in alcohol) for
skin itches, poison oak
 Flowers for green or yellow
natural dyes
http://www.westernwildflower.com/plant%20index.htm

http://www.backyardnature.net/sierras/wildflow.htm
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/grindella-hirsutula http://sfcompact.blogspot.com/2009/06/mmmmm-food.html

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Coastal Groundcover Gum Plant California/Big Gum Plant
- Grindelia stricta venulosa Grindelia camporum var. bracteosa

 A.K.A Grindelia arenicola, G.a.
pachyphylla, G.s. procumbens
 Coastal bluff plant from the
bay area.
 Low growing - < 1 ft.; spreads
nicely as a ground cover
 Mix with Baccharis Pigeon
Point and Penstemon
Margarita BOP on coastal
slopes
 Likes some summer water –
Zone 2 to 2-3; good near
Zone 3 areas

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/grindelia-stricta-venulosa

Include Gumplants in your garden Managing Gum Plants is easy
because of..
 Requires little water
 Attractive flowers Mar-Oct
while blooming – Zone 1-2
 Balsamic aroma to 2
 Tolerates any soil – well-  Cut back in fall to shape –
drained is best can tolerate heavy
 Drought tolerance; but can pruning
take some extra water
 Some species are self-
 Easy to grow incompatible – so plant
 Highly attractive for more than one plant for
 Bees
seed production
 Butterflies  Other than that, require
 Other insects (beetles; other
unusual insects) little care
 Birds (seeds) https://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/d%20-%20g/grindelia_hirsutula.htm

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1/7/2013

Watering in sandy soils is different How fast is the drainage in your sandy
soil? – conduct a ‘perc test’
1. Know your soil’s drainage
properties (the perc test)
 Soil texture/Drainage
2. Use appropriate mulch (organic
or inorganic) to:
1. Decrease water loss Soil type Approximate time
2. Minimize soil heating to drain

3. Water for longer periods & less Hard-pan or days
often sodic soils
1. Use droplet type sprinklers, drip, Clay 3-12 hours
trickle, soaker hose
2. Aim for 45 min-1 hr per session Loam 20-60 minutes
(to 1 inch water)  dig hole 1 ft x 1 ft
3. Encourage deep rooting Sandy Loam 10-30 minutes
 fill with water and let drain
Sand can't fill the
4. Monitor your soil moisture,  fill hole again, measure hole, drains
particularly in hot, windy weather time for water to drain too fast


Some areas are naturals for Zone 1 Desert Mallow – Sphaeralcea ambigua

Hot, dry & difficult to water

There are a wide range of local, S. coast & desert perennials/shrubs

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1/7/2013

Desert Mallow is really an attractive sub-shrub
Desert Mallow – Sphaeralcea ambigua
 Size:
 to 3 ft tall (to 5 ft. with water)
 Southwestern U.S.  to 3 ft wide
including CA, Nevada,
Utah, Arizona to  Growth form:
Mexico  Sub-shrub – partly woody
 Mounded to slightly sprawling
 Dry, rocky slopes,
form – many thin, wand-like
canyon walls & sandy branches
wash edges
 Short-lived – but will reseed
 Creosote bush scrub,
pinyon-juniper  Foliage:
woodland, both  Gray-green; velvety soft
deserts (Mojave &  Leaf shape is typical mallow.
Sonoran)  Many people are allergic to the
Desert Mallow; often called
http://www.swsbm.com/Maps/Sphaeralcea_ambigua.gif
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36764294@N00/13295740
"Hierba Muy Mala" in Spanish
Foliage is good Desert Tortoise food

Flowers remind one of Flowers of many colors….
Hollyhocks
 Blooms:
 Spring is usual bloom season
(Mar-May), following rains
 May bloom off and on
throughout year in garden

 Flowers: http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/reds/red05.html

 Showy mallow blooms along
the stems
 Color- usually ‘apricot’
(another name is Apricot
Mallow), but differs with
variety
 Nectar & pollen attract
butterflies, hummingbirds,
any other insects var. rosacea
vars ambigua & monticola
© Project SOUND http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/Sphaeralcea_ambigua_11.jpg © Project SOUND
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/430082786_0b30a88eee.jpg?v=0

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Desert Mallow is easy…  Soils: Desert Mallow is
 Texture: sandy or rocky –
needs good drainage
versatile in the garden
 pH: any local, including alkali
 Lovely addition to mixed beds –
 Light: full sun place appropriate for size

 Water:  Excellent for water-wise garden,
 Winter: plant in winter; be particularly in sandy/rocky soils;
sure it gets adequate winter most drought-tolerant
water Sphaeralcea
http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/sphaeralcea-ambigua

 Summer: Zone 2-3 for first
year; Zone 1-2 to 2  Good for desert-themed gardens
thereafter. Blooms more
with water.  Good choice for containers

 Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils;  Great on dry slopes, hot gardens;
use inorganic mulch not for very foggy areas

 Other: Cut back to 6” every  Protect roots from gophers
year or so – wear protection! (cage) if present
http://www.bridgerlandaudubon.org/wildaboututah/090407xeri-garden.htm

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphaeralcea_ambigua_10.jpg

Considerations when choosing
Globemallows (Sphaeralceas) Cultivar ‘Louis Hamilton’
& other Mallows

 Choose when in bloom;  Beautiful rose
‘Louis Hamilton’
wide variety of flower colored blooms.
color, leaf characteristics  Great in dry garden
http://www.calisolearning.com/wildflowers2005.htm

or on slope.
 Hybridization can be an
http://www.calflora.net/losangelesarboretum/whatsbloomingmar07E.html

issue; deadhead if you  Stops traffic when in
don’t want seedlings full bloom.
 Use of local species/
varieties when
appropriate

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphaeralcea-ambigua-20080327.JPG

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1/7/2013

Perhaps some local native shrubs might be nice…

http://www.shadyway.com/Newsletters/Bits%20and%20Briefs%20March%202002.htm

 Other perennials for sandy/rocky soils:
 Penstemons
 Asclepias (Milkweeds)
 Eriogonum (Buckwheats)
 Erysimum (Wallflowers)
 And many, many more

San Clemente Island Bush Mallow - Malacothamnus
clementinus Succeeding with San Clemente Mallow

 Light: full sun to part-shade
 Soils: any
 Water: little needed once
established; don’t over-water
 Nutrients: little needed –
pioneer species
 The shrub is a vigorous
resprouter, sending runners
up to 3 meters from a parent
shrub
 Cut back when starts to look
raggedy


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1/7/2013

Chaparral Mallow – Malacothamnus fasciculatus Chaparral Mallow – Malacothamnus fasciculatus
 Coastal ranges and
desert mtn. ranges
from N. CA to Baja
 Common shrub
throughout chaparral
and coastal sage scrub
 Dry slopes and fans to
about 2500‘; also on
http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?5042,5073,5079
disturbed ground
 AKA ‘Mendocino
Mallow’
http://www.coepark.org/wildflowers/purple/malacothamnus-fasciculatus.html


Chaparral Mallow is a mounding large shrub
Chaparral Mallow
 Size:
in the wild  4-12 ft tall depending on site
 Usually 4-6 ft wide;
spreading to 12 ft on optimal
 Large shrub of the sites
foothills  Growth form:
 Mounded woody shrub
 Locally on Catalina
 Quick to moderate growth
Isl, Griffith Park,  Long, wand-like branches
Santa Monica  Somewhat drought-deciduous
Mountains
 Foliage:
 Blue-green to gray-green;
fuzzy hairs
 Typical mallow leaves

 Roots: spreads via rhizomes
http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/bushmallow.html

© Project SOUND http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2716215190_fbc8ca7d8e.jpg?v=0 © Project SOUND
http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/sdpls/plants/chap049.html

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Sandy soil gardening - notes

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