Now that the fall season is in full swing in Southern California, it is time to think about fall planting and all of the great ideas that come with the season. Because of the mild fall weather that Southern California experiences regularly, there are a few plants that will grow beautifully in the garden behind your new home. You can place them directly in the soil, or have yourself a raised garden.
Enjoy fresh fall vegetables during the holidays when you plant the easy to care for vegetables.
A fall favorite, cabbage is a key ingredient from salad and slaw to soups and stews for the cooler days that are sure to come. Cabbage is ideal for temperatures that are mild but endure a few cool snaps here and there.
A smaller version of cabbage, brussel sprouts thrive in the Southern California fall weather. While they are plentiful at your local market, having them homegrown has a different level of freshness and flavor.
Another green and fresh veggie to consider planting is asparagus. Used in a variety of dishes, it pairs well with most proteins and makes for a healthy and tasty side dish when cooking at home. They also sell out pretty quickly at your local market during the season so having some planted at home is a great idea if you enjoy this vegetable.
Before you plant your vegetables this fall, there are a few tips that you need to keep in mind before you purchase your plants and start the garden.
Whether you are planting directly in the dirt, or you are using a raised garden, having direct sunlight is important for these plants. Although they can handle cooler temperatures and continue to grow, they still need at least 6 hours of sunlight to be healthy and vibrant. Choose an area that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for your plants.
If you are planning to use a raised bed or containers for your plants, you need to have lots of soil so that your plants can stretch out and the roots can grow substantially. Large pots and containers should give the roots of the plant at least 12 inches of space to grow and thrive to have your best harvest.
Although cooler season plants have less maintenance than warmer season plants, they do still need to be fertilized throughout their growing season. It is best practice to give them some fertilizer when you first plant them to give them a healthy start. As you get closer to harvesting time, you will want to give your plants more fertilizer, approximately five to six weeks apart.
If you have not had a cool-season garden before, keep your garden small with just two to three plants to start with. It is a good idea to get a feeling for how much you can handle and how much your plants harvest through the season. Some plants will harvest more than once, giving you an abundance.
If you have not experienced a fall garden in the past, now is the time to take advantage of one. In southern California, the weather is not too cool, but also not too warm, making cool-season gardening more of a hobby and less of a task. The maintenance on fall plants is not as tedious, making it a way to spend a few minutes reflecting and giving life to your new SoCal home.
If you are looking for a new home in the Southern California area, give our team at Houzerz a call today. Our team of experts can help you take advantage of the housing market and assist you with finding the perfect home for you and your family.
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