Spring Gardening Tips for 2026: Get Ready to Grow

As we step into spring 2026, longer days and rising temperatures signal the perfect time to refresh and revitalize your garden. Whether you're an experienced green thumb or just getting started, this season offers ideal conditions to prepare your soil, select your plants, and set the foundation for months of healthy growth.

Local nurseryman Rick Watkins, owner of Valley Color Growers, Inc., has spent decades cultivating both plants and knowledge. Watkins, who has been in the nursery business for over 50 years, says spring remains the best time to begin planting.

“Everything starts with good soil,” Watkins explains. “Use quality compost and don’t hesitate to ask questions at your local garden center. They’re there to help you succeed.”

Before planting, make sure you have essential gardening tools on hand. A shovel, hoe, watering hose or bucket, and durable gardening gloves will set you up for success. Healthy soil enriched with compost gives plants the nutrients they need to thrive from the start.

Looking to brighten your yard? Watkins recommends reliable annuals that perform well in the region, including alyssum, petunias, lobelia, marigolds, dusty miller, dianthus, portulaca, and begonias. These plants provide vibrant, long-lasting color throughout the season.

For water-wise gardening—an increasingly important consideration—opt for drought-tolerant choices like myoporum, ice plant, cactus, and succulents.

Spring is also prime time for planting a productive garden. Popular vegetables include tomatoes, pepper, cucumbers, and squash. For fruit lovers, melons and strawberries are great seasonal options. In areas like Ramona, fruit trees thrive thanks to warm summers and mild winters. Consider planting orange, lemon, tangerine, apple, pear, apricot, or fig trees for long-term rewards.

While spring days are warming up, cooler nights still linger. The good news: frost is no longer a major concern. Watkins recommends watering plants daily, ideally in the morning, to reduce evaporation and allow roots to absorb moisture before the heat sets in.

Raised garden beds are growing in popularity—and for good reason. They provide better control over soil quality, improve drainage, and reduce strain on your back. “Raised or box gardens are especially helpful if your soil is hard or if you want a more comfortable gardening experience,” Watkins says. Hanging baskets are another simple way to add instant color and dimension to patios, porches, or entryways.

Nancy Zadrozny, SDCEA Landscape and Open Space Manager, say over the years she has bought nearly all Valley Color offers. She has bought many drought tolerant varieties including teuchrium, bougainvillea, and hesperaloe, that are planted in the new median beds on Ramona Oaks Road.

“Nearly all the approximately 15 new or refreshed garden spaces in SDCE have plant material from Valley Color,” says Zadrozny. “From flats of annual color to shrubs and trees, the plant choices do well and thrive in our area. “

Sarah Young, Garden Center Manager of Village Country Hardware, buys plants at Watkins Valley Color Growers and she says the garden center carries a large variety of annuals as well as perennial color that are all proven performers in our unique Ramona climate.

“Since our supplier, Watkins Valley Growers is local, our customers can be sure that the plants purchased from us can thrive in Ramona's hot dry climate,” says Young. “We carry flowers, herbs, fruits, vegetables as well as ground covers and succulents.” She says their supplier also carries a large inventory of trees both fruits and nuts as well as standard landscaping varieties. All of these and more are available for special order with quick delivery.

“We also provide the home gardener with a large selection of work gloves, small hand tools, wheelbarrows as well as a selection of soils and fertilizers,” says Young. She adds that the best time to plant is now. There's no need to wait like in other parts of the country. “We invite you to come in and say hello. Our new team loves new faces and look forward to meeting our neighbors and helping them get started on their dream garden today,” says Young.

With a little planning and preparation, your garden can flourish this spring. Whether you’re growing fresh ingredients for your kitchen or creating a peaceful outdoor retreat, spring 2026 is the perfect time to dig in and get growing.

Photo by Tiffany Pressler