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Someone out there must like to garden "Gardening in southern California is so rewarding," said Anna Klinzing, board member of the Calimesa Community Garden. "We have the ability to grow vegetables year round because of the weather." Ken Blanton, General Manager at Yucaipa's Sunshine Growers Nursery agrees. "We have a long growing season here and can plant during summer and winter so we can really grow a great variety," he said. Klizing said March is the time for soil preparation. She said to start amending (or adding organic matter) to your soil. It's also a good time to weed and turn over the soil. Blanton said to add compost and earth worm castings (worm poop) to really feed the soil. "March is tricky for planting because if we get a freeze the plants might not do well," Klinzing said. Blanton said you can get seedlings started in March, but keep them protected in a well lit room or on the patio away from overhead ceiling vents. Blanton said tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and herbs can be started. If March is mild, and freezing is behind us, Klizing said carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower are good cool weather vegetables to get in the ground. "I like being able to plant what I know I'm going to be eating, and eating what I know I grew myself," said Klinzing. I know I'm not putting dangerous chemicals on them and the flavor is so much better than in stores. I love having a side dish at dinner that I picked that morning." Klizing said the community garden is gradually moving toward a fully organic property. "We don't have them 'certified' but our members are encouraged not to use synthetic chemicals to stay as safe as possible," she said. Don't have space to garden in your yard? The Calimesa Community Garden has plots available in all sizes from just $20 a month. "It's great to garden with a community that is there to answer your questions and share plants," said Klizing. "We have potlucks and get-togethers and it's a nice way to meet a neighbor." Water and tools are even available on site. New to gardening? Klizing and Blanton said don't let it overwhelm you. "Have fun with it. It's not a scary thing, buy a packet of seeds and have fun finding out how things grow," said Blanton. Klizing agrees. "Start small, ask questions. There's a huge learning curve but there are a myriad of resources to get you started and a multitude of fresh vegetables is a great reward." The Calimesa Community Garden is on Ave. L, between third and fourth streets in Calimesa. Visit the website at calimesacommunitygarden.org or call (909) 206-3402. Sunshine Grower's nursery is at 34017 Yucaipa Blvd. Phone: (909) 797-9210. The Calimesa Community Garden website (calimesacommunitygarden.org) has a comprehensive planting calendar to guide gardeners through the different planting seasons. However, they caution that the guide is just suggestions and that various gardening experts do not agree on recommended planting times. "Nature keeps us guessing," they point out. Below are some suggestions for spring planting. March: Artichoke, Asparagus, Asian Greens, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Swiss Chard, Endive, Escarole, Fava Bean, Herbs, Kale, Kohlrobi, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard, Bunching Onions, Short Day Onions, Parsley, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Strawberries, Turnips April: Beans - bush & pole, Beets, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Fava Bean, Herbs, Lima Beans, Leeks, Lettuce, Melons, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Short Day Onions, Squashes, Strawberries, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips 12 OUR YUCAIPA | MARCH 2016

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