Soil Conditions
Once you have selected your site and the plants you wish to establish there, you must look at the soil conditions of the site. Proper soil is necessary for the successful growth of most native plants, which perform poorly in hard pan, clay, or adobe soils.

How to Grow Native Plants
If natives are to be planted in the types of soil mentioned above, dig planting holes several times the size of the root-ball and backfill with 50% - 75% compost. A large planting hole ensures the development of a strong root system and the compost will give the plant the nourishment it needs. Native plants should not be planted in ground that is denser than potting soil.

If there is no alternative, mix volcanic cinder into the soil before planting to encourage maximum root development. Fill the hole with water and if the water tends to puddle or drain too slowly, dig a deeper hole until the water does not puddle for longer than one or two minutes. Well-drained soil is one of the most important things when planting natives as you will see in the next section.