California Living
Designing with Fire Resistance in Mind
Fire-conscious landscape planning is about creating a maintained, thoughtful space around the home without giving up the beauty of a layered California garden.
Begin with spacing and maintenance
Healthy, maintained planting is an important part of defensible space. Clearing debris, reducing dense fuel near structures, and giving plants the room they need can make the garden easier to care for and safer to enjoy.
Plant selection should account for the property, local conditions, and the area immediately around the home.
Use hardscape as part of the plan
Paths, patios, gravel zones, and retaining walls can provide useful separation between planted areas while adding everyday function. They also help organize access for maintenance and create clearer transitions throughout the landscape.
A fire-resistant approach works best when it is part of the overall design rather than a last-minute addition.