California poppies bloom throughout the Sacramento area.
Hector Amezcua
hamezcua@sacbee.com
Looking to start a garden this spring? Sacramento weather provides a wonderful opportunity to get into your green thumb.
Whether it be vegetables, fruits or brilliant flowers, we have tips to help new growers begin their gardens.
Here are some of the best plants to get started on this Spring.
What are zones, and how do I find out what zone I live in?
Before going out and buying the seeds for the garden of your dreams it’s important to take the time to find out what plants would work best in your area. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed a Plant Hardiness Zone Map that allows gardeners and growers to determine which plants are most likely to thrive at each zip code.
This map is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, displayed as 10-degree Fahrenheit zones ranging from zone 1 (coldest) to zone 13 (warmest), according to the USDA website.
Residents can find their zone by entering their zip code on the map.
California poppies
California’s state flower, the California Poppy, blooms periodically throughout February through September with peaks in April and May, according to G. Rossi Florist’s website.
The UC Davis Arboretum notes that California poppies are “gateway plants” for new gardeners for its dramatic results with minimal effort.
The flowers also provide pollen-rich flowers to attract native bees, small birds and butterflies.
California poppies bloom throughout the Sacramento area. Hector Amezcua hamezcua@sacbee.com Tomatoes
Whether it is making a fresh salad or jarring tomato sauce, Sacramento is known as a great environment for gardening tomatoes. Late March to April is traditionally Sacramento’s tomato planting month, according to Inside Sacramento.
Tomatoes are a generally easy plant to grow, especially in Sacramento where the hot and warm weather lasts fairly long for the calendar year.
Tomatoes are rich in nutrients and vitamins and require relatively little amounts of water and fertilizer, according to McDonald Garden Center.
Starts for tomatoes and peppers are prepared for sale at Root 64 in Tallac Village. The farm will host a plant starts sale on Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sean Timberlake stimberlake@sacbee.com Citrus trees
Sacramento neighborhoods are great for growing a variety of citrus plants including Meyer lemons, limes and Mandarin oranges, according to Edible Sacramento.
Mandarin orange trees are slow-growing fruit trees that are drought-resistant, according to US Citrus Nursery.
Harvest for mandarins can begin as early as November and last through April. Mandarin oranges improve skin health and support cardiovascular function, according to Fine Gardening.
Mandarin trees grow well in the Sacramento area. Mountain Mandarin Festival Fresh basil
Basil is generally easy to grow in the Sacramento area, and it is also known as a fairly easy herb plant for beginner planters and gardeners, according to the Almanac website.
Residents are encouraged to begin with a small planting that can be brought at any plant or at many grocery stores.
Introducing the plant seedlings or transplants for basil can begin from late March to early April according to the Almanac website.
Basil is one of the easiest herbs to grow for new gardeners. Tami Reece
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Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado is a service journalism reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked at the Star Democrat in Annapolis, Maryland. Veronica graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s degree in journalism.