Plant Now, Save Later

Fall Planting Creates Healthy Plants and Reduces Future Water Use


SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 19, 2013) - Did you know that fall is the right time to plant a beautiful spring garden? That's why Save Our Water, Sunset magazine and Sunset Western Garden Collection are teaming up on the "Plant Now, Save Later" campaign to educate people about the benefits of fall planting.

"Putting your plants in the ground now will allow them to develop healthy root systems," says Julie Saare-Edmonds, a California master gardener and water efficiency expert at the California Department of Water Resources. "Plants planted in the spring are often stressed by the transplanting and then by the dry, hot weather of the summer. Fall planting gives your plants a better chance of success."

The Save Our Water program was created in 2009 by the California Department of Water Resources and the Association of California Water Agencies to educate consumers on ways to reduce their household water use. Produced in partnership with Sunset, the leading lifestyle brand in the West, the Sunset Western Garden Collection debuted last year and includes a variety of water-wise varieties. It is the first live plant collection to focus exclusively on top performing plants for the Western gardener.

"As the days begin to get cooler, the soil temperature is still warm, which really helps the plants get a strong start," says Janet Sluis, a program developer with Plant Development Services' Sunset Western Garden Collection. "During the fall and winter, they can acclimate and take advantage of the seasonal rains. By spring, their roots are established and ready for the vigorous spring growth period."

On Friday, October 4 at 12:30 pm, Save Our Water, Sunset and Sunset Western Garden Collection will hold a joint Twitter party (#plantnow) to answer questions and provide tips on fall planting. Sluis and Saare-Edmonds will be participating in the Twitter party to help California gardeners learn more about fall planting and water-wise gardening.

Because more than half of residential water use goes to lawns and outdoor landscaping in many areas of the state, Save Our Water has a heavy focus on outdoor water conservation. Californians can learn more about the benefits of fall planting and find indoor and outdoor water conservation tips by visiting the "What We Can Do" section of the Save Our Water website (www.saveourh2o.org). 

Generally, plant experts say early October to mid-December are fall planting times for California. People can visit Sunset's Plant Finder to determine what climate zone they live in and get guidance on the plants that will grow successfully in their region. Sunset's October issue features a 10-page special section on using water-wise plants to create lush, colorful landscape designs.

For additional information on the benefits of fall planting, visit www.sunset.com or consult the Western gardeners' "Bible": The New Sunset Western Garden Book (available in print or as an interactive book for iPad®, iPhone® and the web by going to www.sunset.com/wg).

About Save Our Water
The Save Our Water program, which was created by the California Department of Water Resources and the Association of California Water Agencies in 2009, educates consumers on ways to reduce their household water use. To learn more about the Save Our Water program, visit www.saveourh2o.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter

About Sunset Magazine
Sunset (www.sunset.com) is the leading lifestyle brand in the West. Through magazines and books, events and experiences, and digital and social media, Sunset covers the West's best flavors, destinations, design trends, and innovations. Sunset engages and inspires an audience of over five million educated, active and affluent consumers every month through its five regional print editions -- Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Southern California, Southwest and Mountain -- as well as via all tablet devices and its website. In addition to its print and digital publication, Sunset showcases the region's unique lifestyle and noteworthy destinations through its flagship events, established home programs, licensing partnerships, books and International Wine Competition. Sunset is part of the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group.

About Plant Development Services
Plant Development Services works with the world's top growers and breeders to bring to market plants that impact landscapes with recognizable, marketable improvements. Plant Development Services also introduced the number one multi-season blooming azalea, Encore® Azalea, and the Southern Living® Plant Collection, featuring innovative new plants selected for superior performance in Southern gardens. For more information, visit plantdevelopment.com.

Sunset Western Garden Collection plants, which were developed in partnership with trusted experts at Sunset magazine, are currently sold at select independent garden centers and Orchard Supply and Lowe's locations throughout the state. Consumers can easily locate the nearest retailer of the collection by visiting http://sunsetwesterngardencollection.com/find-retailers/.

Contact Information:

Media Contacts:
Jennifer Persike
Association of California Water Agencies
916-441-4545 or 916-296-3981 (cell)


Nancy Vogel
Dept. of Water Resources
916-651-7512 or 916-796-3048 (cell)


Tara Henley
Plant Development Services
251.533.2916


Dana Smith
Sunset
510.682.3141