TOP LEFT TWO PHOTOS : COURTESY OF ROGER ’ S GARDENS ; BOTTOM LEFT : JONATHAN KEMPER / UNSPLASH ; RIGHT : JESSICA ROY |
“ 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 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
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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 .”
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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 . NBM
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NEWPORT BEACH MAGAZINE 67 |