Celebrating Spring: Get Your Garden Ready for a Season of Growth

Rick and Diane Watkins, San Diego Country Estates homeowners and owners of Valley Color Growers, Inc., have years of experience and passion for plants. Rick says spring is an ideal time to start growing plants because the conditions are just right for healthy growth.

Rick has been in the nursery business since he was 15 years old and has been growing plants for 52 years. He says when you are getting your garden ready, it's important to start with a good compost and to check with your local garden center. Rick sells annual color, vegetables, and some shrubs to Country True Value Hardware in the San Diego Country Estates and says that's a great place to go for your garden needs. And don't forget your tools. The basics you will need to get started include a shovel, hoe, watering bucket or hose, and gardening gloves.

Rick says good plants for spring in this area include alyssum, petunias, lobelia, marigolds, dusty miller, dianthus, portulaca, and begonias. He says these are your top basic annual color. If you are looking for water-resistant plants, myoporum, ice plant, cactus, and succulents are good alternatives. Good vegetables to plant in your garden include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and squash. Some fruit options include melons and strawberries. "Fruit trees thrive in Ramona due to its warm summers, mild winters, and plenty of sunshine," says Rick. Fruit trees that do well in this area include orange, lemon, tangerine, apple, pear, apricot, and fig.

Rick has some tips for maintaining a garden with the fluctuating spring temperatures. He says spring weather in Ramona is still cool, but the cold weather is behind us, and it's time to make your gardens. The days are longer and warmer, the nights are cool, and there are no issues with frost. He recommends watering plants daily, preferably in the morning, to minimize evaporation and give plants time to absorb moisture before the heat of the day.

"Custom-raised gardens are a great way to create controlled growing space for plants," says Rick. He adds that box gardens are a good option if the ground is too hard, or gardeners don't want to bend over for extended periods. Hanging baskets are also a good option for adding color to your landscape.

With a little planning and preparation, your spring garden will be ready to thrive. Whether growing fresh produce for your kitchen or creating a colorful outdoor retreat, these tips will help you make the most of the season. Happy gardening!

Photo by Tiffany Pressler.