Garden on the Horizon
Do you hear it? …The call to start gardening.
Not so fast though, we need it to stay consistently above 50° if we want our garden to thrive.
So while we wait, now is the perfect time to start mapping out:
How we want to set up the garden beds
Whether we’ll start from seeds or baby plants
Where we want to buy our plants
And most importantly… what we actually want to harvest
Garden Bed Preparation
Before planting, it’s important to think about balance and setup. That means planning for a 3-plant balance, the right plant mix, healthy soil, and how your beds will grow; whether raised beds or a vertical trellis (thanks, gardeners.com!). Make sure your plants get about 8 hours of sunlight, have a watering schedule, and that pathways are clear for easy access.
According to gardeners.com, raised beds lead to a longer growing season, reduce competition from weeds, support a larger harvest, protect your plants, and let you fill them with the best soil. The recommended “soil recipe” is roughly 50–60% topsoil and 40–50% compost — and a lot of it! Most plants also need 6–18” of soil depth to truly thrive.
Seeds vs Seedlings
Seeds are more cost-effective option, but take longer to grow. Plus, most packages contain anywhere from 100 to 1,000 seeds — which means if you plant just one, you’ll either have an abundance or can store the extras for next season. According to Johnny’s Seed Calculator, seeds need about 3–10 weeks of growth before they can go in the ground. With the proper timing, seeds like lettuce, tomatoes, beans, and corn can be started indoors to get a head start on the season.
Seedlings, on the other hand, are baby plants that can be purchased at a variety of stores and nurseries — a recommended option for beginner gardeners. According to connieandluna.com, it’s best to start seedlings for eggplants, chili, zucchini, cucumber, herbs, pumpkins, strawberries, and tomatoes.
Research Where to Buy
We are so blessed to have so many options in Placer County! Here are some of our favorites:
Green Acres at Eisley’s in Auburn, and a second location in Rocklin
High-Hand Nursery in Loomis
Redbud Nursery in Newcastle (appointment only until further notice)
Plus, national stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Tractor Supply
What Do You Want to Harvest?
Now, this should be the easiest question to answer… What do you want to grow in just a few short months?
There’s a little “rule” I like to follow: the 3x3 rule. Imagine dividing your garden bed into nine equal spots with two horizontal and two vertical lines. We want to give each plant enough room to grow and spread out to get the most out of our plants.
I like to add a couple of marigolds in the middle of the plants I want to harvest. For example: zucchini in a vertical line, go horizontal -> marigold -> jalapeños three in a vertical line -> marigold -> tomatoes — this not only adds color but also helps attract the bees.
As Joanna Gaines says, there’s no greater joy than having your hands in the dirt with your kids. So, friend, don’t lose sight of making your garden fun and happy — and don’t forget to say a few nice things to your plants so they’ll grow for you!
Here’s your garden planning checklist, all in one place:
1. Plan Your Garden
☐ Decide what you want to harvest
☐ Sketch your garden beds (try the 3x3 layout)
☐ Choose between seeds or seedlings
☐ Check your average last frost date
2. Start Seedlings
☐ Plant seeds indoors 3–10 weeks early
☐ Label everything clearly
☐ Research companion plants (hello, marigolds)
☐ Make a realistic watering plan
3. Prep Soil + Beds
☐ Clear old plant debris + weeds
☐ Add 6–18” of healthy soil and compost
☐ Confirm your garden gets ~ 8 hours of sunlight
☐ Map out pathways
4. Shop Local
☐ Visit local nurseries in Placer County
☐ Compare soil + compost options
☐ Pick up any needed tools or trellises
☐ Support a small business if you can
