Spring is officially here! While winters in California are more moderate than most parts of the United States, there isn’t a large list of vegetables that can be grown. Spring, on the other hand, is the ideal time to start a vegetable garden that will produce you with fresh produce all summer long. This post looks at some of the best vegetables to grow and lists some tips to keep your plants healthy.
Vegetables
- Broccoli – The easiest way to plant broccoli is to use broccoli shoots. Planting seeds tends to be more difficult and is a better option for experienced gardeners. Once you harvest broccoli the plant will not likely produce another crop. Make sure to give broccoli the space it needs to grow. In general, you should space each plant twelve inches apart.
- Carrots – Plant your carrot seeds as soon as possible for the best results. Some carrot varieties require at least fifty days of growth before they can be harvested while other varieties can take up to eighty days. Baby carrots are popular varieties to grow since they take less time to mature than other varieties. Unlike broccoli, it’s okay to plant carrots close to one another. Carrots don’t do well in rocky soil, so make sure you plant them in sandy soil. Here’s a great article with some tips on growing carrots.
- Lettuce – Most varieties of lettuce don’t do well in extreme temperatures; therefore, it’s not a bad idea to initially start your lettuce plants indoors. Then once they’re strong enough you can plant them outside. Since lettuce doesn’t do well with too much heat, make sure that you provide them with shade if the plants are growing in the months of July or August.
- Potatoes – If you don’t think you have a green thumb, plant some potatoes. Potatoes don’t require much effort at all to grow. In fact, some gardeners just take a left over potato, cut it into pieces, and bury the pieces. One of the most popular varieties to grow are called Yukon Gold. To avoid moldy potatoes make sure that the soil isn’t too wet.
Growing Tips
- Watering – If your plants’ leaves are yellow then you are overwatering. When you do water your plants avoid wetting their leaves since this can lead to mold.
- Organic – Organic isn’t just a buzzword. Too many chemicals will hurt your plants and affect their taste. Use organic seeds, soil, and fertilizer to produce the best plants.
- Trim – Don’t be afraid to trim your plants. Trimming gives your plants more room to grow. Fewer leaves mean more water will reach the soil. It also increases air circulation.