Call up a few tree-trimming companies and ask them what they do with their woodchips. If they usually take them to the dump, they'll often be happy to dump them in your driveway instead.

Contrary to popular myth, studies by U.C. Davis have indicated that mulch from Eucalyptus trees does not have allelopathic properties. It does inhibit the germination of seedlings for a few months, but so do most wood mulches to one degree or another.

Ryan

I think different natives require different mulches. I'm not an expert on CA natives but the Las Pilitas web site describes different mulches for the natives of different regions. Just something to consider in case you haven't already (but maybe you already have. :-)

Jen

Here is a link that might be useful: How much mulch?

Thanks for the tips! I live about 4 houses down from someone with a tree trimming truck parked in his driveway all the time, and Las Pilitas says that arborist chips are my best source of mulch. Sounds like fate ;-)

Tree trimmings are the way to go. I had my front yard mulberry trimmed and the guy left the chips in the driveway. In just a few days it was steaming (the tree was in leaf, so the perfect C:N setup).

If you have a lot of weeds in that area, I recommend using newspaper under the chips. It'll smother any existing weeds that would otherwise grow up through the mulch.

What sort of natives?

CJ

So far I haven't made any decisions on what natives to plant, other than I plan to cap off all my sprinkler heads in that section and go irrigation-less. That in itself will to a large degree govern what plants I can choose for this area. I'm registered for the Going Native garden tour on April 30, and the Bringing Back the Natives garden tour on May 7, to get some ideas about what I can and want to plant.

My site includes a bare west-facing wall of the house in desperate need of shrubs, and I want to pick a mixture of shrubs, grasses, and flowers that provide color and interest throughout the year. I'm excited about the exploring, learning and choosing :-) I do already know I want a Ceanothus and at least one Artemisia californica (the trailing Canyon Gray). Beyond that I'm currently like a kid in a candy store, wanting one of each :-)