Garden
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JULY 26 , 2024 COASTALREALESTATEGUIDE . COM
Garden
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include lettuce , tomatoes , peppers , artichokes and fresh herbs . “ They thrive well in the Southern California climate and offer a variety of flavors for culinary use ,” reveals Rich Mead , executive chef and owner of Farmhouse at Roger ’ s Gardens .
Cheesborough agrees , adding that , in addition to leafy greens , broccoli , cabbage , snap peas and certain beans flourish in Orange County , providing a higher yield than warm season vegetables , and that trees suited to a Mediterranean climate , like olives or avocados , also do well here .
For Roy , who has a large garden at her Huntington Beach home as well as a small culinary space within the botanical garden , there have been advances in the development of fruit trees that allow them to thrive locally . “ I have had great success with stone fruits and apple trees that are specifically low-chill varieties ,” she notes . “ My favorite variety that I have growing right now is my August Pride peach tree . It requires less than 300 chill hours and does beautifully in my coastal California backyard .”
Unique plants tend to catch her attention on a regular basis . She
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also has nine different citrus trees , ranging from kaffir lime to Valencia orange , as well as a nectarine tree , passion fruit vine , 14 raised beds for seasonal produce and eight additional planters for herbs and shade plants . “ In my own garden , I plant with the seasons and , most importantly , I plant things that excite me to cook ,” Roy says . “ I look for interesting varieties that you cannot find everywhere to expand my repertoire .”
Still other options include strawberries , melons , squash , beets , carrots , cucumbers and peas , but one thing you may not have considered that Smith especially enjoys growing are edible flowers , including pansies , violas , marigolds and nasturtiums . “ I love having flowers in the garden that I can throw onto a salad or [ incorporate ] if I ’ m baking something or [ add to ] a cocktail ,” she reveals . “ Those are little things anybody can grow in any size garden that make their dishes look like a million bucks and impress all their friends .”
And when it comes to planting with children , some plants may be more suitable than others . “ Kids are impatient and they want something really easy and instantaneous ,” Smith says . “ I recommend things like radishes and green beans , because if
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TOP LEFT TWO PHOTOS : COURTESY OF ROGER ’ S GARDENS ; BOTTOM LEFT : JONATHAN KEMPER / UNSPLASH
Top left : Sarah Smith , expert horticulturist for Roger ’ s Gardens ; top right and bottom : A variety of produce can be grown in the region .
they ’ re growing them from seeds — which kids love to do — they sprout really fast .”
You can also opt to begin with established vegetation as well . “ Beginners can start with vegetables and herbs using starters or small plants available at garden centers ,” Mead notes . “ Experienced growers can experiment with more complex crops like summer berries .”
GUIDE TO GROWTH There are so many factors to consider when starting out that Roy says making a plan for your garden can contribute to your success . Consider everything that may impact your crops , from the amount of space and sunlight available to how often to water , which fertilizer to use and how you ’ ll overcome any challenges that arise .
“ Plants are just like people ,” Smith says . “ When we eat well , when we sleep well , when we drink enough water and do all the good things , we don ’ t get sick . … That is key to being successful : the right environment with the right conditions .”
When it comes to sun exposure , be sure to purchase seeds or plants that align with your yard . Roy says this can sometimes be tricky , as her yard enjoys full sun but is sometimes shaded by her neighbor ’ s trees in the afternoon . “ I deliberately plant things that can tolerate full to partial sun because of this microclimate ,” she explains .
According to Smith , one of the biggest things that gardeners overlook is soil health . “ It ’ s kind of like our gut biome ,” she says . “ I think because it ’ s below ground , people don ’ t think about it . But having the best soil and the best fertilizer and knowing how to apply them
is going to make your plants more successful .”
Providing enough water for your garden is crucial as well , but you also want to make sure you don ’ t overwater . Cheesborough offers up a trick to try : “ Take your finger , stick it about an inch or two into the soil . If it feels wet — you pull your finger out and it ’ s covered in little pieces of soil — leave it alone . If you put your finger in there , it ’ s nice and dry and comes out clean , water it .”
Sometimes consistency is key . It all depends on what you ’ re trying to grow . To ensure uniformity , Mead suggests a self-watering approach . “ Implement a drip irrigation system with a timer to ensure consistent watering , even when away from home .”
And don ’ t overthink it . Even if you ’ re worried you don ’ t have a green thumb , Cheesborough says to give it a try and , if you fail , try again . “ Diligence is a big part of it ,” he notes . “ Just be willing to go out there on a regular basis and look at your plants . Look at the underside of the leaves , look at the fruit , look at the flowers . You can see if things look a little bit different … and then just go from there .”
If you feel stuck , these experts are on hand to help you out and get your garden back to where it should be . “ Come and learn . We do classes [ and ] we do events . We have professional horticulturists here all the time and we ’ re happy to talk about exactly [ this ],” Cheesborough says of Sherman Gardens .
Smith agrees , noting , “ At Roger ’ s Gardens , we want our customers to succeed with their gardens . Come in and ask questions .” You won ’ t be sorry you did once you have that first taste of a sweet summer strawberry .