Tuesday, April 30, 2013

MAY PLANTING GUIDE: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

VEGETABLES TO PLANT IN THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY:

 

BEANS: Bush and Pole
BEETS- these can be bought in seed strips which makes planting very easy
CANTALOPE- yummy
CARROTS- you can buy carrot strips for easy planting
CORN- a fun garden plant for kids
CUCUMBER- try patio snackers variety
EGGPLANT- a great purple color in the garden- try the Nadia Eggplant 
LIMA BEANS- only if you have to- do southern californians really eat Lima Beans?
OKRA- do you think Oprah likes Okra?
PEPPERS- I typically will get peppers as plants vs. seeds
PUMPKIN - try Carriage Pumpkins
RADISH- try rainbow radishes
SQUASH- winter and summer can be planted now
SUNFLOWERS- from miniature to 8 foot tall growers- they are all amazing
SWISS CHARD- easy to grow and beautiful colors
TOMATOES- I grow yellow pear and cherry tomatoes every year + roma and heirloom
WATERMELON- sugar baby is a great small melon for backyard gardener

COMPANION PLANTING- TRY GROUPING TOGETHER THESE COMBINATIONS:
Why companion plant? 
* It helps and improves plant growth by enriching the soil. 
* Plants help eachother grow by placing tall plants next to smaller plants that need shade.
* It can help with pest problems with the aromatic scents of marigolds and other herbs.
* Attract the good insects "beneficial" insects- plant attracting pollinators!

BEANS - RADISH - SUNFLOWER- EGGPLANT- ROSEMARY

TOMATO- BASIL- CARROT- PARSLEY

CUCUMBER- PEA - SUNFLOWER- MARIGOLD- RADISH- CARROT

SAGE - THYME - TOMATO - BASIL- DILL- MARIGOLD- LETTUCE

Check out these Heirloom Seeds on ETSY that looked interesting. Sunflowers and all types of seeds


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