For San Diego beginner gardeners: what to plant this spring?

Building a raised garden bed in the early weeks of the pandemic has provided me with such joy and bounty throughout the seasons. I turn to the garden daily to dress up a salad with bitter greens and fresh herbs or add a little jalapeño kick to my guacamole. The few must-haves in my garden are a variety of lettuces, tomatoes and herbs. They’re easy to grow and toss into any meal. If you’re thinking of planting a garden this spring, now is a great time to start.

Start small when choosing a space for your first garden. I suggest nothing over 4x8’. Plan on tending to your garden every few days to water, pick weeds, control pests and harvest. Once you have the space, plan out what you’d like to plant. As a novice gardener myself, I’m always wondering when to plant what. I did some research and looked to the almanac for weather guidance to create a friendly chart to help guide us through the spring planting season.

Keep in mind, this is for San Diego! Our coastal desert town provides an ideal environment for growing a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and edible flowers. When picking out what to plant in your garden, be sure to select those that thrive in San Diego’s climate. I hope you find joy in growing even the tiniest bit of what you eat.