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Answer

To answer your first question it is best to water in the morning that way the water has a chance to be absorbed by the plants and excess water can evaporate which will help avoid insect and disease problems. Watering in the morning is also a good idea out in the garden.

When choosing plants for erosion control it's important to pick plants that vary in height and size. Larger plants are first to slow the speed of the rainfall and also provide soil stability from their larger deeper roots where grasses provide coverage and shallower roots that stabilize the surface soil.

I would stick to native or drought tolerant plants in Clearlake California to conserve water. Here are a few plants that I would recommend in your area: Native oaks (i.e. blue, valley, coastal), Madrone trees, California lilac (Ceanothus spp.), Sages, Buckwheats, Lonicera, Lobelia, Bidens, and Ribes to name a few.

Thanks for the question, happy gardening!

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