Grab your sunhats and gardening tools because summer is almost here, and it’s a great time to start planting flowers, vegetables and fruit.
Long-time Ramona resident Richard Watkins moved to San Diego Country Estates in 1977 with his bride, Diane Watkins. They lived in SDCE for about seven years before moving into Ramona to expand their nursery. Richard has been in the nursery business since he was 16, so he has been growing plants for almost 50 years and loving every minute of it.
Richard and Diane own Valley Color Growers with two locations in town—one off Keyes Road and the other off Ramona Street next to Happy Hens—for a total of 45 acres. They are also Ramona Country Estates Homeowners. They sell their plants to retail garden centers, landscape contractors and hotel casinos. They also have their plants for sale at the Country True Value Hardware store off San Vicente Road and sell to the landscaping division at Riviera Oaks Resort and the Oaks Grille.
There are different types of plants that are perfect for the climate here year-round. Nature offers an array of plant colors in springtime heading into summer and more specific kinds to plant in the other seasons. The best plants to use in the summer include Vinca, Portulaca, Zinnia, Salvia, Begonia and Impatiens. Begonias and Impatiens are best suited for shady areas around your pool or patio. Plants brighten up your outdoor landscape and dress up outdoor patio areas. Hanging baskets, also known as mixed combination baskets, can make for a stunning display on your porch.
For gardeners who want low-maintenance outdoor plants, some good shrubs to check out are Lantana, lavender, Myoporum and rosemary. These plants are heat tolerant, require less water and add lasting color to your garden.
Vegetables are also very popular in the summertime; some good ones to grow include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash. Some good fruit choices to grow are strawberries and watermelons. These plants can be grown in the ground, or you can purchase ground containers and baskets. You just need to add soil and water. Another option is to buy pre-made hanging baskets to add color and character to the area.
According to Richard, the first step to starting a garden or adding color to your home is to find a location where you would like to put your garden or stage your plants. The next step is to prepare the ground by tilling it and making sure there are no large rocks or debris. Be sure to use a good mulch or soil amendment and fertilizer offered by the local garden center.
It is important to weed the area; residents can uproot these areas by hand, with a shovel or hoe, or even use a rototiller or tractor to till the ground.
Preparing the ground for vegetables is vital to ensure the area is nice and moist. Make sure to water the plants once a day until the vegetables get started, and then one can water every other day for maintenance to help the plants grow.
Gardening is a healthy activity. Exposure to the sun provides the body with vitamin D, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, gardening qualifies as exercise. Just being out in the yard for 30 to 45 minutes can burn up to 300 calories. It’s also quite rewarding to eat food that you’ve grown.
As the saying goes, you will reap what you sow.