We may not think of winter as the best time to start growing vegetables, but in Southern California, we can use this season to our advantage in a variety of ways when it comes to keeping our garden plentiful.
Saving Water
In Southern California, wintertime is when we receive the most water. By planting crops in the winter, you don't have to worry about watering your plants all the time to keep them moist and cool like in the dry, hot summers. The best part about rainwater is that it's free!
Disease Reduction
Plants can be more susceptible to pests and parasites in the summer. Butterflies, aphids, caterpillars, stinkbugs, and root-knot nematodes are more common in the summers. However, the winter provides a decline in pest and parasite activity, making the more season useful for planting vegetables and keeping them free from warm weather-loving pests.
Better Work Environment
There is nothing better than working hard in cooler temperatures. Southern California summers make it difficult to work outside throughout the day. The cool winter temperatures of our state create an enjoyable work environment for all of the gardening necessities.
Winter Vegetables
Peas
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Garlic
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Radish
Not only do these vegetables grow well in the winter, but some need cooler temperatures in order to taste better! Too much heat can allow plants to mature too quickly, creating a bitter taste for some of the crops listed above.
About Pacific Vista Landscape Services
Established in 1988, Pacific Vista Landscape Services manages every aspect of landscaping maintenance and design.
For more information contact us at:
661-222-7525
22777 Lyons Avenue, Suite 212 Santa Clarita, CA., 91321, USA
If there is one thing most people can agree on, it’s that mosquitos and mosquito bites are annoying. Thankfully, there are many wonderful plants we can surround our yards and gardens with to naturally help prevent these pests.
Plants such as lavender, catmint, peppermint, and marigold all contain strong odors which may smell amazing to humans, but that mosquitos hate. All these plants do amazing in the Southern California climate due to their need for full sun and moderate watering. Another upside of these plants is that they are all perennials! While some marigolds are annuals, there are other types that come back every year and still repel mosquitos, such as the Mexican marigold which boasts beautiful, vibrant summer colors.
If you love planting your own herbs and vegetables, basil and garlic are perfect for you and mosquito repelling, once again due to their fragrance. Both plants do amazing in full sun and can come back every year if properly managed. Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is what gives garlic its strong odor. This smell may confuse mosquitos and ward them off from biting you!
Not only do all these plants repel mosquitos naturally, but they can also liven up your yard or garden with their scents and colors. There is also no need to worry about where your helpful bees and butterflies will go once you add these plants to your home. While mosquitos detest these plants, butterflies, and bees, helpful garden insects, are still very much attracted to them.
From the beautiful colors of marigolds and lavender to the fresh smell of basil and peppermint, these plants have many great features whilst ridding of those biting pests.
About Pacific Vista Landscape Services
Established in 1988, Pacific Vista Landscape Services manages every aspect of landscaping maintenance and design. For more information contact us at:
661-222-7525
22777 Lyons Avenue, Suite 212 Santa Clarita, CA., 91321, USA
Tulips are iconic spring flowers. Many people buy a bouquet of tulips at the store, but don’t realize how easy it can be to grow their own! Tulips have vibrant petals that come in many colors as well as incredible color combinations. Plant tulip bulbs in the fall, and by springtime you can enjoy the sight of beautiful blooming tulips in your garden!
Tulips are hardy and will grow in most climates. Depending on what variety you buy, each bulb will produce one to four blossoms. Tulips don’t like a lot of water which makes them perfect for California!
Plan to plant bulbs in the fall when the weather turns cooler. In colder areas, plant bulbs before the first frost and the ground gets too hard. Pick bulbs that are firm and smooth like the ones pictured here. Choose a location that is mostly sunny or has light shade and doesn't get excessive water.
When planting, size matters. The bigger the bulb, the deeper the hole. From the top of bulb, there should be about 8 inches of dirt to the surface. So, if your bulb is around an inch big, then make the hole 9 inches deep.
Place the pointy part of the bulb facing up so it grows the correct way. Be careful when adding dirt back into the hole that the bulb stays pointed upward. Space bulbs about 4 to 6 inches apart, depending on the size of the bulb, because bigger bulbs need more space between them to thrive.
Tulips are perennials, meaning they can come back more than once. In most climates, though, the soil isn't conducive to more than one year of growth. Also, bulbs usually only contain enough nutrients for it to bloom once. So, if you want the tulips to come back after the first year, place some plant food in the holes before closing them up!
Bulbs should be watered when first planted, but after that shouldn’t be watered unless a dry spell occurs. Once planted and watered, the only thing left to do is wait until they bloom in the spring!
There is nothing like growing your own tulips and seeing them bloom. Tulips are perfect for adding color to any garden. Put a reminder in your calendar to plant bulbs this fall so by next spring you can enjoy homegrown tulips!
Happy Spring!
