Gardening Tips - Sawtelle 3300
Author: Michael Margolis
Quickstart Guide
Buying Plant 6-Packs
If you want to get something growing in your plot as fast as possible, then purchasing already established plants from a garden store is a great way to quick-start your garden! I’ve had good success with tomato plants and other crops from Armstrong Nursery (I go to the 3226 Wilshire Blvd location). When selecting between buying a 6-pack of smaller plants, or a set of more established plants in 4/5/6-inch plots, I recommend buying the 6-pack since they are much cheaper and grow to match the established plants in only 1-2 weeks. Though we have great weather nearly year round, it can still be helpful to reference a Zone 10 Planting Guide for ideas on crops to grow.
Fertilizing the Plot
It can be helpful to supplement your garden plot with fresh soil that contains live microbes to aid in plant growth. The brand “Dr. Earth” can easily be found at garden stores (including Armstrong) and I usually buy some fresh soil once a year. I usually mix the raised bed potting mix into the plot, using a trowel to loosen and combine the soil, and I add a ~1 inch layer of compost over the whole plot before planting anything.
Growing from Seed
It can be really rewarding to grow plants from seed, knowing that you helped care for them the whole way! However, growing from seed can be tricky since a sub-optimal environment, pests, diseases, and other factors can hinder germination.
Starting at Home (“paper towel” technique)
Required materials: paper towel, ziplock bag, water
A great way to get your seeds started in a sterile, simple environment is to use the “paper towel” technique.
- Take a piece of paper towel and fold it over twice.
- Wet the paper towel thoroughly and place it on a flat surface or plate.
- Scatter seeds onto the wet towel such that they are evenly spaced and non-overlapping.
- Carefully slide the paper towel into the ziplock bag and seal it.
- Place the ziplock bag in a warmer area of your apartment and leave it for 48 hours.
After the seeds have germinated, pick them off the paper towel and place them into your plot with the roots facing down (the root is white and appears first, the leaves are usually green and appear later). Moisten the plot with a spray bottle or lightly with a watering pail to avoid disturbing the delicate seedlings.
Watering the Plot
Striking a balance between overwatering and underwatering your plot can be challenging, but here are some general tips to keep in mind:
- Infrequent, deep waterings are generally better than frequent, shallow waterings
- Watering deeply encourages the roots to “chase” the water deep into the soil
- Watering deeply prevents rapid evaporation of the water provided to the plot
- Over-watered plants will generally stand more upright but have yellow leaf discoloration with brown tips
- Under-watered plants will generally droop or appear “dry” and have some leaf discoloration
Dealing with Pests
Having your leaves covered in mold or fruits eaten by pests can be really frustrating, so here are some ways to keep your garden healthy:
- Mix fresh soil with live microbes (Dr. Earth’s, for instance) into the plot to introduce bacteria/fungi that can outcompete the bothersome bacteria/fungi
- Apply a spray of Neem Oil to the leaves of a plant experiencing pest issues
- It’s often best to apply this spray before any signs of damage, but it can help stop an existing problem from getting worse
- Buying Neem Oil concentrate off Amazon and mixing it yourself in a spray bottle from Target/Daiso is a very economical way to deal with pests (warning: it smells terrible so be careful not to spill it anywhere!)