The Golden Rule: Don't plant anything invasive. (And remove weeds!)

Whether native to other areas of your state, or native to another country, invasive plants do not belong on your property. Don't plant invasive plants, like French or Scotch broom, or vinca, or English ivy. If they are present - remove them. Remove noxious weeds like bull thistle, hemlock, and so on. Here's some useful links on this:

• In California you can check here to learn what plants are invasive: California Invasive Plant Council.
• And you can check this page of the California Native Plant Society to learn more about invasive weeds, and find useful links to other sites: Invasive weeds.

I'll put my Silver and Bronze rules in future posts!