March Planting Guide Southern California

Vegetables:

Beans (bush and pole), Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chives, Collards, Endive, Kale, Parsley, Potatoes, Radish, Spinach, Squash, Swiss Chard, Turnips. Possibly tomatoes at the end of the month.

The soil is beginning to warm up and the selection of vegetables are increasing.

Some of the easiest to grow are lettuce and radishes and planting heirloom, or unique varieties like "rainbow radishes" makes the experience that much better.

Companion planting:

Group these together for better yields, harmonious planting and best overall conditions for growing. 

-carrot, parsley, tomato.

-beans (pole), radish, cabbage, lettuce

-beans (bush), carrot, lettuce, strawberry, savory, mint, collard

Flower Planting Guide:

(Just a few popular ones) Aster, Carnation, Chinese Forget-me-not, Cosmos, Dahlia, Flax, Petunia, Queen Anne's Lace, Sunflower, Sweet Pea, Viola, Wallflower.

It's Finally DAHLIA planting time!

Heirloom Radishes: Watermelon

This is a great all year round fun garnish/vegetable to grow in your garden. Very fast turn around time from sowing the seeds to eating at your table. These watermelon radishes are truly beautiful when sliced and tasty too. I grow these often and love the results.

Radishes are a good source of Riboflavin, Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. A great dietary fiber and also high in Vitamin C. Ideal planting time in Southern California is July- August. I plant these through October in my raised beds.

JULY GARDEN PLANTING GUIDE: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Summertime Garden 

Vegetable Planting Guide:

BEANS- Bush and pole

BEETS

CARROT 

CORN

CUCUMBER

LIMA BEANS

RADISH

SUMMER SQUASH

TOMATOES

Flower Planting Guide:

BABY'S BREATH

BACHELOR BUTTON

CORNFLOWER

COSMOS

MARIGOLD

NASTURTIUM

PHLOX

NASTURTIUM ATTRACTING A HUMMINGBIRD

Rows of Radish



Cucumber

June Garden Planting Guide

GARDEN PLANTING GUIDE FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE *SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA*

SUGAR BABY WATERMELON

BEANS- Bush and Pole Types, 

BEETS

CANTALOUPE

CORN

CUCUMBER

LIMA BEANS

OKRA

PEPPERS

PUMPKIN

RADISH

SUMMER SQUASH

SUNFLOWER

SWISS CHARD

TOMATOES

WATERMELON

MY FIRST CUCUMBER THIS SEASON WITH MANY MORE ON THE WAY

Sunflower Heirloom Seeds

This is a great time to start planting Sunflowers for summer blooms. Choosing to plant sunflowers of any height and variety gives the garden a beautiful summer ambiance.  Sunflowers have long been used as a food and oil supply for cooking, but their beauty makes their value that much more special. The Sunflower symbolizes happiness, longevity, warmth and beauty. A great garden flower!

6-8 foot sunflowers peek over the fence line

small size sunflower for floral display

late summer sunflowers used in a fall display last year

One of my favorite sunflowers- from Renee's Seeds

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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Time to Plant Pumpkins

Can it really be time for planting pumpkins? YES!

 I recommend trying the Cinderella's Carriage which in Southern California can be planted by seed April through June. Plant in Full Sun with a distance of 3 feet between seeds. They reach 18-35 pounds and are deep orange-red. I purchased these from Renee's seeds and in the past have had great success.

According to Renee's Seeds, "We import seed for this big gorgeous heirloom pumpkin from its original French breeder who maintains the best centuries-old strain, still beloved in European markets. Cinderella's Carriage is our name for this large, thick-fleshed selection that looks exactly like the original in the old-fashioned illustrations of the magical fairy tale coach."

 

Last year my Cinderella Pumpkin at 5 pounds- still growing

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   ************* pumpkin tins***********

APRIL GARDEN PLANTING GUIDE

VEGETABLE PLANTING GUIDE: Southern California

Pumpkin

Carrot

Corn 

Tomato

Bush and Pole Beans

Radish

Beets

Cantaloupe

Cucumber

Eggplant

Jicama

Okra

Peppers

Summer and Winter Squash

Sunflowers

Tomato

Watermelon

TIME TO PLANT ZINNIAS and DAHLIAS

DAHLIA

FLOWER PLANTING GUIDE:

African Daisy, Marigold, Alyssum, Aster, Baby's Breath, Cornflower, Bellfower, Bells of Ireland, Blanket Flower, Butterfly Flower, Calendula, CA Desert Bluebells, Carnation, Chinese Forget-me-not, Chrysanthemum, Coleus, Cosmos, Dahlia, Floss Flower, Morning Glory, Passion Vine, Petunia, Phlox, Sage, Verbena, Viola, Zinnia

Pinterest Flower Photos

RAINBOW RADISHES

March Planting Guide: Southern California

Vegetables:

Beans (bush and pole), Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chives, Collards, Endive, Kale, Parsley, Potatoes, Radish, Spinach, Squash, Swiss Chard, Turnips. Possibly tomatoes at the end of the month.

The soil is beginning to warm up and the selection of vegetables are increasing.

Some of the easiest to grow are lettuce and radishes and planting heirloom, or unique varieties like "rainbow radishes" makes the experience that much better.

Companion planting- Group these together for better yields, harmonious planting and best overall conditions for growing. 

-carrot, parsley, tomato.

-beans (pole), radish, cabbage, lettuce

-beans (bush), carrot, lettuce, strawberry, savory, mint, collard

“The trouble with gardening is that is does not remain an avocation. It becomes an obsession.” 

 -Phyllis McGinley

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