Spring is peeking around the corner here in Ventura. The hills are green. The sun sets later and later. And we’re all getting ready for some more days at the beach.
After what’s felt like a very long winter, you might be ready to really seize the spring season. And planting wherever you have the space — whether that’s a tiny windowsill or a full-scale planting bed — gives you a way to do just that.
If you’ve been thinking about trying out your green thumb as the weather warms, we’ve rounded up four things to plant this spring. These plants are all easy-to-grow and do well in our Ventura climate.
Tomatoes
Late March/early April is the ideal time to start your tomato plant. While you can put your plant in the ground, you can also buy a potted tomato plant at many local nurseries here in town. Since they grow upward rather than out, they’re just as happy in a potted environment.
Tomatoes love the sun, so make sure you put yours in a spot where it will get plenty of light throughout the day.
If you’re ready to harvest tomatoes all summer long, here’s a guide to help.
Bird of paradise
If you’re looking to make your outdoor area feel more like an oasis, this plant will do the trick. Even when it’s not in bloom, its big, tropical-looking leaves add a splash of green wherever planted.
Plus, despite the fact that the bird of paradise plant looks lush, it doesn’t need much water. You can get away with watering it every 1-2 weeks. And this versatile plant can tolerate everything from partial shade to full sun.
You can learn more about bird of paradise plants here.
Sea lavender
Another easy way to add color to your garden, sea lavender thrives in our Ventura climate. In fact, it’s probably one of the top contenders for things to plant this spring; you’ll probably see it frequently on your walks around town.
Sea lavender is drought-tolerant and likes a rocky soil. It prefers full sun and infrequent waterings. If you’re looking for a plant you can pop in the ground without much work afterward, sea lavender is for you.
Here’s a growing guide.
Rosemary
This plant will scale with your vision. If you want to grow it into a huge hedge, you can! But if you only have a small space on your windowsill, it can thrive there, too — just make sure it gets as much sun as possible. If you do grow it in a pot, choose one with a drainage hole and add some rocks to the bottom of the pot, too. Rosemary definitely doesn’t like sitting in water.
This herb is a relatively fast grower, which means you can take plenty of cuttings to cook with guilt-free. If you’re looking for things to plant this spring to zhuzh up your dishes, consider rosemary.
Learn more about growing rosemary here.
As you’re planting in your garden, you might be thinking about what you’re planting in your life in general. If you want help sowing the seeds of more mental wellness this spring, we’re here! Reach out to our team of therapists today. We’re still offering telehealth therapy so you can safely connect with us. We’re looking forward to talking!
