May is here and it’s the best time to start a garden. Whether it’s growing produce or flowers, gardening can never be a bad idea, and May is the best time to start one! Speaking of gardens, try checking out the school garden, for inspiration, (located between rooms 930 and 931). They have apples, pears, berries, mint, and avocados.

What should I grow? 

You can plant so many things, especially during spring here in Temecula. You can grow plants in a pot, in a planter, or just in your backyard. 

• Strawberries: these need different amounts of sunlight depending on the variety, but come back every year.
• Wildflowers: these flowers are super easy and require minimal care, just don’t overwater them. You can find wildflower seed packets at a store.
• Lettuce: there are several varieties, but they grow great in the shade no matter what.
• Tomatoes and Cucumbers: they grow best in the sunlight, so I’d recommend these for a sunny backyard. It’s also best to get a trellis to help either plant grow.

  

• Squash and Pumpkins: these grow best if you have plenty of space in your yard for the vines to grow. Try not to get the fruit wet when watering to avoid rotting.
• Sunflowers: they grow best in direct sunlight, and can be bought as seeds or already growing.
• Herbs: if you can’t plant outside, no worries! Basil, cilantro, and mint are among the herbs that grow well on your windowsill. You can also plant them in the shade outside to start an herb garden!

What do I need and where can I find it?

Although they are great if you have one, you don’t need a garden bed or box to start a garden. You could find a good corner in your yard, use a hanging planter, or just get pots to grow in. You could also have an indoor herb garden in small pots or containers. Aside from what to grow your plants in, you also may need fresh soil, a small shovel, and a trellis, although the trellis is only necessary for vine plants like cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, or grapes.  These materials can be found at stores like Zee’s Garden, Home Depot, Walmart, or Lowes. 

Of course, you’ll need to buy seeds or starter plants from a supermarket, nursery, or gardening store. Seeds are cheaper, and there will be free seeds at the Temecula Public Library until May 15th, and they’ll have things like cucumbers, peppers, watermelon, squash, beans, and others. Nurseries will have plants that have already started growing, making it more expensive, but easier to start.

Spring is one of the best times to start a garden and that feeling when you enjoy the fresh produce you grew or see your beautiful flowers is amazing!! Do you have a garden or plants at home? Do you want to plant one? Leave a comment!

Sources:

• www.gardentech.com
• https://www.almanac.com/plant/pumpkins#:~:text=Water%20deeply%2C%20in%20the%20morning,suppress%20weeds%2C%20and%20discourage%20pests
• https://www.getsunday.com/shed/product-instructions/garden-instructions/wildflower-planting-care