California Fescue

Planting

Plant California fescue in full sun or part shade in loamy or clay soil with good drainage - it will struggle in sandy soils. Space plants about 3 feet apart since they spread outward to that width. Plant in fall or winter to establish before summer heat. Avoid planting in pure sand; if your soil is sandy, amend it with compost or clay before planting.

After Planting

Water weekly during your plant's first summer to establish it, then dramatically cut back - mature plants need only 3 waterings per month in summer. Once established (by year two), let California fescue do its thing with minimal intervention; its rough, narrow leaves are evergreen and require no pruning. The #1 mistake is overwatering an established plant - resist the urge to treat it like a thirsty lawn grass. This is a low-maintenance native that actually prefers neglect to fussing.

Birds

higDark-eyed Junco

Seeds · Winter

Primary winter food source, Dec-Feb

higWhite-crowned Sparrow

Seeds · Fall

Critical fall migration staging fuel, Sep-Nov

modBewick's wren

Shelter · Year-Round

Dense cover for nesting and roosting habitat

modSavannah sparrow

Seeds · Winter

Winter forage in grassland habitats

modSong Sparrow

Seeds · Year-Round

Year-round resident, seeds supplement breeding season diet

modTree Swallow

Shelter · Spring

Nesting season cover and perching substrate, Apr-Jun

Mammals

modCalifornia mouse

Seeds · Fall

Fall seed cache accumulation, Sep-Nov

modDusky-footed Woodrat

Seeds · Year-Round

Year-round food source, seeds cached for winter