Year's ago I wrote a column titled "Gardening My Way" for several publications. Columns focused on water-efficiency, lighting, design, using vegetables and herbs for landscapes to have a harvestable garden, and best practices.
Last year I purchased a raised planter box from J&W Lumber in Murrieta. After staining, lining, and hooking up the irrigation, I planted seedlings of Chard, Zucchini, Arugula and Mesclun Greens in the box.
Most of the seedlings were grown in smaller containers from Renee's Garden Seeds. The container salad seeds seem to germinate the best in my area of Southern California. In Wildomar we have about temperatures which run about 10 degrees higher and lower than Temecula Valley Wine Country. Things I can't seem to grow yet are cucumbers, eggplant, carrots and radishes. Onions start well in containers but have to be moved to more compacted soils than found in potting soils.
I say yet, because, I have also now developed some areas behind the pool that are in the ground, not pots, and I'm developing more raised beds - some with shade, some 100% sun.
Ordering from Renee's again (www.http://www.reneesgarden.comreneesgarden.com) and this time my garden will include: Beets, Cucumbers, Greens/Crispy Winter Salad, Wasabi Arugula, PotoGold Chard, a package of lettuce titled "Edible Landscape" that has green, red and butter leaf, Romaine, Bok Choy, Habenero Peppers, Spinach, squash, lavender, cilantro and parsley. As much as I enjoyed their Mesclun and Wine Country Salad mixes, they were very spicy and I wanted more lettuce variety.
Based upon the "Farmer's Almanac" best planting for most of the seeds is after February 15th this year, so I'll be timing the seeds to the moon, avoiding the frost, and hoping for a good harvest.
I'll let you know. I'm thinking the early planting will help. Last year's garden got started in June - scheduled AFTER the Balloon and Wine Festival crunch.
Last year I purchased a raised planter box from J&W Lumber in Murrieta. After staining, lining, and hooking up the irrigation, I planted seedlings of Chard, Zucchini, Arugula and Mesclun Greens in the box.
Most of the seedlings were grown in smaller containers from Renee's Garden Seeds. The container salad seeds seem to germinate the best in my area of Southern California. In Wildomar we have about temperatures which run about 10 degrees higher and lower than Temecula Valley Wine Country. Things I can't seem to grow yet are cucumbers, eggplant, carrots and radishes. Onions start well in containers but have to be moved to more compacted soils than found in potting soils.
I say yet, because, I have also now developed some areas behind the pool that are in the ground, not pots, and I'm developing more raised beds - some with shade, some 100% sun.
Ordering from Renee's again (www.http://www.reneesgarden.comreneesgarden.com) and this time my garden will include: Beets, Cucumbers, Greens/Crispy Winter Salad, Wasabi Arugula, PotoGold Chard, a package of lettuce titled "Edible Landscape" that has green, red and butter leaf, Romaine, Bok Choy, Habenero Peppers, Spinach, squash, lavender, cilantro and parsley. As much as I enjoyed their Mesclun and Wine Country Salad mixes, they were very spicy and I wanted more lettuce variety.
Based upon the "Farmer's Almanac" best planting for most of the seeds is after February 15th this year, so I'll be timing the seeds to the moon, avoiding the frost, and hoping for a good harvest.
I'll let you know. I'm thinking the early planting will help. Last year's garden got started in June - scheduled AFTER the Balloon and Wine Festival crunch.
