Vegetable & Herb Care
Planting and care basics for productive edible gardens in Southern California.
Match the plant to the light.
Most vegetables and culinary herbs grow best with at least 6 hours of direct sun.
Water the root zone, not just the surface.
Keep soil consistently moist, especially for seedlings, containers, and fruiting crops. Avoid letting beds repeatedly swing from very dry to saturated.
Start with the right root environment.
For in-ground beds, use fertile garden soil improved with organic matter as needed. Use raised-bed mix in raised beds and quality potting mix in containers.
In the ground or in a container?
In-ground
Work compost or appropriate soil amendment into the bed as needed, plant at the proper spacing, and keep the soil surface evenly watered while roots establish.
Containers
Choose containers large enough for the mature crop and make sure they drain freely. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, greens, and many compact vegetables can grow successfully in pots.
Feed for the plant, not by habit.
Vegetables are active growers. Feed according to the crop and fertilizer label; fruiting crops often need more regular nutrition than many herbs.
Keep healthy growth in balance.
Harvest often, remove damaged foliage, and stake or trellis taller crops when needed.
Read the symptoms as clues, not a diagnosis.
Wilting
Check soil moisture first; containers dry out quickly in warm weather.
Yellow leaves
May indicate watering, drainage, or nutrient issues.
Chewed leaves
Inspect closely for caterpillars, snails, slugs, or other pests.
Poor production
Check sunlight, temperature, nutrition, and pollination.
What to plant, and when.
Our Southern California vegetable planting schedule shows the typical months we recommend for many popular edible crops.
Prefer a paper copy? Free printed schedules are available at the nursery. Timing can shift with weather, microclimates and variety, so ask us if you are unsure what to plant right now.
Need help choosing the right plant or product?
Bring a few clear photos of the planting area or the problem plant when you visit. Our team can help you narrow down the next step.
