With water becoming ever more expensive and San Diego seemingly chronically in drought, it can feel harder to justify planting a garden filled with thirsty species. The great news is that there are plenty of resources for both homeowners and renters who want to migrate to growing native plants, and it doesn’t have to be an either/or decision. If you understand your plants’ needs, you can grow natives and have a vegetable garden, citrus trees or ornamentals that you love.

I spoke with several local experts who gave me truly helpful advice on how to do this—and all their insights and tips are in my new story for The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Home and Garden section. This is the perfect time to get started, so jump on in!