Welcome to the first guide from Coachella Gardening. Growing here in the desert can be a wonderful experience, but it does come with some hard edges.
This is the time of year when things really get into full swing. We are at the furthest point from summer, which means cooler temperatures, low pest pressure and an abundance of choices when it comes to what can be grown. This is a great time to test your skills as a gardener.
Start simple with herbs
Choose something simple to start with. Herbs are easy and need little care. Just be aware that mint and lemon balm are invasive, so plant them in a pot or somewhere you don’t mind them taking over.
Herbs will also give you the most bang for your buck. Harvest as needed, cutting no more than one-third of the plant at a time.
Tip: Never cut more than one-third of an herb plant at once. It keeps the plant healthy and producing.
Ready for more? Try cool-season vegetables
If you’re looking for something a little more exciting to grow, consider peas, broccoli, cabbage or lettuce. Plant them in a pot, put them where they’ll get six or more hours of sun, and don’t forget to water them — just not too much.
Why grow your own?
Growing your own food is such a rewarding experience. You control how it’s grown, which means you decide whether to keep things organic. You’ll also enjoy flavors you can’t find in the grocery store.
Planting this time of year is forgiving of mistakes: the cooler season means less watering, and troublesome bugs aren’t around as much. Plants will grow more slowly, especially as the daylight hours dwindle, but the harvest can still be abundant.
At a glance
Start
Herbs
Easy and low-care. Keep mint and lemon balm in pots.
Next
Cool-season veggies
Peas, broccoli, cabbage or lettuce in a pot with 6+ hours of sun.
Why now
A forgiving season
Less watering, fewer pests and room to learn as you go.
Happy growing!