How to Prep Your Outdoor Space for a Northern California Summer (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Pavers)

If your sprinkler system’s doing more for your driveway than your plants, we’ve got a situation. Northern California summers are dry, and overwatering isn’t just wasteful, it’s expensive.

Consider installing drip irrigation or smart irrigation systems that actually know when to chill. Bonus points if you water early in the morning (not during your 3 PM meltdown) and skip the nightly sprinkles unless you’re trying to grow mold.

Look, you’re busy. Your plants should be tough enough to survive Stockton without a daily therapy session. That’s where drought-tolerant landscaping comes in.

Here are a few MVPs:

• Agave (low-key, savage and sculptural)
• Lavender (smells like you’ve got your life together)
• California Poppies (state pride, baby)
• Native grasses (zero drama)

These plants don’t just survive, they thrive. And they pair perfectly with concrete patios, paver walkways, and retaining walls that don’t melt in the sun.

Real talk: natural grass is a clingy ex. Constant attention, water, mowing… and it still looks patchy.

Artificial turf is Stockton’s low-maintenance hero. It stays green, feels great underfoot, and won’t hold a grudge when the temps hit triple digits. Plus, no muddy paws, no weird brown spots, and your lawn mower? Gone.

Concrete cracks. Pavers shift. And retaining walls… well, they should retain, not collapse. Summer heat in NorCal can mess with your hard surfaces, especially if they weren’t installed right the first time (not naming names).

Check your patios, walkways, and driveways for damage. Better yet, let us check them. Drago Inc. builds hardscapes that survive Stockton summers and still look like something out of a design magazine.