San Diego Summer Vegetable Gardening Guide
Well friends, we’re excited to share our favorite San Diego gardening tips with you all! We seen thousands of landscapes and gardens and this are our favorite tips. There is nothing quite like the taste of fresh, organic produce that you grew yourself. If you haven’t gardened before and you feel a little overwhelmed, don’t worry! Gardening is something everyone can do and it even boasts a number of health benefits. Here is our spring and summer vegetable gardening guide for San Diego.
Garden Location is Important
A successful vegetable garden needs a lot of sunshine during the day with some afternoon shade. Before you get started, spend some time in your yard and pay attention to where the light is at different parts of day. Different vegetables need varying amounts of light, so placement is important when getting ready to plant your veggie garden. Make sure to put your fragile plants in shaded areas and your hardy plants in parts of your yard that get a lot more sunlight.
Different Types of Garden Beds
There are many different ways to plant a vegetable garden – you can use raised garden beds, plant in pots, or directly into the soil. Raised garden beds are one of the simplest ways to start a vegetable garden and they can house a variety of different veggies. The materials are inexpensive, the upkeep is simple, and there is a barrier that helps prevent grass and weeds from getting into your garden. Make sure you go with a nutrient-dense, organic soil to get the best results.
Summer vegetable gardens. Different types of garden beds.
Photo by Hale Production Studios | Raised Garden Beds by Urban Plantations
Seeds vs Starter Plants
If you’re a gardening beginner or even a seasoned pro, going for starter plants is always easiest. Sure, some plants, like lettuce, grow better when you start them by seeds, but it takes some extra work and a lot more time to get them going compared to starting with a small plant. Often times, the reward of a quick harvest can keep you inspired in the garden, especially when you are just starting out. Here in San Diego, we have a variety of local, organic farms that have a ton of different starter plants at a great price and you’re able to contribute to the local economy. Some of our favorite San Diego nurseries are City Farmers Nursery, Urban Plantations, Mission Hills Nursery, North Park Nursery, and Walter Anderson Nursery. Be sure to check them out!
Garden Watering Tips
Since we don’t usually get much rain in San Diego, it’s smart to come up with a watering plan before you get started on your vegetable garden. If you don’t have a huge garden, watering by hand is a great idea because it encourages you to also check your plants for bugs and weeds, while you’re out in the yard. Spending about 15-20 minutes in your garden each day is incredible therapy and you get to admire your hard work. If you prefer to set up an irrigation system, check out our blog for tips on how to do it yourself. Keep in mind that different plants require different amounts of water, so make sure to group plants together that have similar watering needs.
Pest Control for Your Garden
Unfortunately, you will encounter pests in your garden, so it is wise to come up with a plan for those pesky bugs before you start growing your plants. We prefer to keep our garden organic and never want to put dangerous pesticides on the vegetables we will feed our families. You can take care of most bugs with natural sprays you can easily make at home, check out this article for some good ideas. It is also important to check your plants regularly and hand pick bugs and worms off to ensure your vegetables are safe and healthy.
Fertilizer for your Garden
To get healthy plants that make delicious produce, you should use a fertilizer. Again, we prefer using natural and organic products and recommend consulting some of our amazing local nurseries to figure out what is best for your garden. Keep in mind that with healthy soil, you don’t need a lot of fertilizer. Over-fertilizing can cause insect infestations, so make sure to follow the direction for the fertilizer you decide to use.
Best Produce to Plant During Warmer Seasons in San Diego
One of the most important parts of gardening is to plant the right produce at the right time. Some of our spring and summer favorites are zucchini, squash of all different types, sweet corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, peppers, melons, eggplant, okra and sweet potatoes. All of these are fairly easy to grow and do well in our climate.
As with most things, growing a successful garden takes time and practice. Don’t expect your first go at gardening to be perfectly successful. We live in a warm climate that is great for growing veggies, but also brings plenty of pests. Once you figure out what works best in your yard, stick to that and you will reap the rewards of your hard work.
Spending time in the garden daily is amazing for your physical and mental health. Plus, eating your hand grown produce is incredibly rewarding and can save you time and money by avoiding unnecessary trips to the grocery store. Overall, growing your own vegetable garden is a rewarding experience and we have the perfect climate for it here in San Diego. If you have any questions about how to get your garden started, don’t hesitate to reach out!