What should you plant right now?

What should I plant right now?

One of the most common questions I receive from students, friends, neighbors, and individuals in the garden revolves around what they should plant at the present moment. Addressing this query can be complex as it depends on several factors. Are we considering the long-term or short-term goals? Are we focusing on cultivating vegetables or fruits? Does the space available lean towards being small or expansive? Understanding how much sunlight the area receives is also crucial. All these elements contribute to crafting an appropriate response. To navigate this decision-making process effectively, it is helpful to ponder on a series of guiding questions and then proceed with general recommendations for planting. However, it all begins with a fundamental inquiry: why do you wish to nurture these plants? The motive behind planting varies for each individual. Is it driven by the desire to grow personal food, support the local ecosystem, attract pollinators, or simply enhance the visual appeal of the surroundings? The possibilities are vast, but clarifying this aspect significantly influences the path forward.

Then we can go into the whats:

o   What kind of planting space do you have?

·      Indoors vs Outdoors

·      Inground, container, pot, hydroponics?

·      Backyard, front yard, or balcony?

o   What is the watering System?

·      Hand watering, drip irrigation, overhead sprinklers

o   How much sunlight does the area get?

·      Full sun, Partial sun, full shade

o   What type of foods do you like to eat?

·      Potatoes, berries, fruits, carrots, etc.

With all of that said here are a few of my favorite things to plant:

(Please note my conditions are Zone 10B in Coastal Southern California)

Carrots

"There is no such thing as having too many carrots!" This is one of my favorite phrases to proclaim while tending to the vibrant garden. Few experiences compare to the sheer delight of gently pulling out a perfectly formed carrot from the rich soil of your own garden patch. A quick rinse is all it takes before these earthy delights are ready to be enjoyed. Carrots are an excellent choice for families as they are easy for children to harvest – whether big or small, they are delectable to eat. Additionally, their roots work wonders in aerating the soil. Should one happen to be missed and allowed to go to seed, it will bloom into a plethora of exquisite white flowers that add a touch of elegance to any garden landscape. Let's not forget, a single carrot has the potential to yield a bountiful harvest of hundreds of seeds for future plantings!

Snow Peas

Snow peas are an excellent choice for your garden due to their ease of growth and delicious taste. You can conveniently pluck them straight from the bush to savor their sweet, crisp flavor. As part of the legume family, they contribute nitrogen and essential nutrients to the soil, promoting its health. Simple to cultivate, delightful to consume, appealing to children, and beneficial for soil enrichment, snow peas are unequivocally a fantastic addition to your garden space!

Potatoes

Potatoes are indeed a fantastic choice for beginner gardeners due to their low maintenance requirements and adaptability to various growing conditions. They can thrive in virtually any season and soil type, making them a versatile addition to any garden. Not only are they delicious to eat, but the process of harvesting them can be quite enjoyable – reminiscent of uncovering hidden treasures as you dig through the soil. If you happen to find a potato sprouting in your pantry, simply cut a small slice containing the sprout, plant it in the ground, and witness the magic of growth unfold before your eyes. It's truly a rewarding experience to watch your own potato plant flourish from such a simple beginning.

Red Kale

I absolutely adore having kale in my garden because its longevity can extend up to two to three years with the right care. Among the kale varieties, the red kale stands out as my personal favorite due to its mild flavor, perfect for fresh greens or crispy kale chips. It's truly a versatile and enduring plant that can grace your garden for seasons to come.

Borage

We always aim to have pollinators in the garden, and nothing entices them quite like borage. The mesmerizing blue blooms are a constant attraction for various pollinating insects. Moreover, watching the flowers transition from blue to pink post-pollination is a delightful sight. Apart from its aesthetic appeal and pollinator-attracting qualities, borage is also a versatile edible plant. The sweet, subtly vanilla-flavored blue flowers can be enjoyed on their own or used as garnishes on salads and desserts. Additionally, the leaves offer a refreshing cucumber-like taste and can be brewed into soothing herbal teas. Borage truly is a multi-functional gem in any garden space.

African Blue Basil

My nickname for this plant is the “bee magnet.” Once fully grown and flowering, this plant will constantly be loaded with bees, which we love in the garden. It's a delight to watch these pollinators buzzing around, enhancing the ecological balance of our space. This perennial herb provides an abundant supply of basil leaves and flowers throughout the year. The basil variety has a distinctive anise-like flavor, akin to black licorice, adding a unique twist to your culinary creations. Keep in mind that this plant will grow into a decent-sized bush, so it's important to plan for adequate spacing or trim it to maintain your preferred size and shape. Let's continue nurturing our garden with plants that not only nourish us but also contribute to a thriving ecosystem!

Others I considered: Sunflowers, cosmo flowers, artichokes, strawberries, mulberry bush, anna apples, lavender, rosemary, and swiss chard.