Here Come The Zucchinis!!!

There will soon be an abundance of vegetables in the garden.  Among the tomato and pepper plants, zucchini and squash claim their space as they take up prime garden real estate.  Once the plants start producing, there is no stopping the production! How about trying some new zucchini recipes this year?  Please visit the ZUCCHINI RECIPES page for some delicious ways to prepare this versatile vegetable.


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Preserving Zucchini





I am sure by now that most of you have had your fill of zucchini.  If you have a bumper crop of zucchini, chances are that your friends and neighbors are running in the opposite direction when they see you coming with armloads of zukes.  Consider preserving this precious commodity for use in soups and breads during the late fall and winter months. Check out the blog for preserving tips.

https://growagoodlife.com/preserve-zucchini/

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Planting Guides & Charts

NEW!  PLANTING GUIDES & CHARTS page




Visit our PLANTING GUIDES & CHARTS page on this website for lots of helpful information on general gardening and guide to planting specific vegetables and herbs.  All gardeners will find this page beneficial.

        * Vegetable Gardening For Beginners
        * Helpful Tools To Have
        * Soil Preparation
        * Garden Layout
        * Tips For Transplanting
        * Tips For Sowing Seeds
        * Starting Seedlings
        * Watering, Weeding, Mulching, and More
        * Harvesting and Storing Vegetables
        * Garden Clean Up



       
The PLANT GROWING GUIDE is very comprehensive. What you will learn about each vegetable:

        * Description of vegetable
        * When and How to Plant
        * How to Grow and Care
        * Pest and Disease Management 
        * Recommended Varieties
        * Harvest and Storage
        * Cooking Wisdom
        * Recipes to try


Practical Planting Guide For Garden Crops




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HARVEST FESTIVAL - LCG Summer Picnic

 

HARVEST FESTIVAL - LCG SUMMER PICNIC

    
Saturday, August 8, 2026
 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
Monte Verde Park
4626 Shadeway Road, Lakewood

Bring your favorite side dish or dessert and join in the fun!  Visit with your garden buddies, welcome our new gardeners, and share gardening tips!  
Hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks will be provided by community garden. 
Raffle ticket drawing for cool prizes!!!

Don't forget the sunscreen!




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Plant Care During Summer Heat Wave

Extreme summer heat can be as exhausting for our plants as it is for us. This video offers helpful tips on how to help our plants cope with heat.

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General Meeting








DATE & TIME:           Saturday, June 13, 2026   *   0900 - 1100
LOCATION:               San Martin Park Community Room 5231 Ocana Ave. 
GUEST SPEAKER:   TBD

There will be a handout for products to use for pest and disease management.



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Very Important Gardening Basics

 

                  


https://www.reneesgarden.com/blogs/gardening-resources/81613185-renees-six-dos-and-one-dont-for-a-good-garden

Renee's' Garden is an online seed company based in Northern California.  There is a wealth of gardening information on the RESOURCES page.  The link above will take you to an article titled 6 Dos And 1 Don't For A Good Garden  --  excellent guiding principles for a successful gardening experience and an abundant harvest.


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Don't Let Spring Weather Trick You - Transitioning To Warm Weather Crops


While parts of our country are battling snowstorms and freezing temperatures, we have enjoyed warm sunny days, and our thoughts migrate to planting warm weather crops. We dream of the day when we can fill our plots with corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and okra, to name a few.  Below are some articles and videos to help guide transition to a summer garden.


http://www.ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=20498

While we have experienced some warm days, we must not rush into planting summer crops just yet.  Cold temperatures cause warm weather crops to stress, weakening their immune system, leaving plants more susceptible to disease and low productivity.  Most articles reference "last frost date," a marker that is not applicable to our planting zone.  Night time temperatures may be a better guide for when to start planting summer crops.  UC Master Gardener Program blog offers some points to consider before planting summer vegetables in the garden.


https://cafarmandgarden.com/warm-season-crops/?ref=site

This article by California Farm and Garden is based in San Diego. Much of what is said is applicable to our area since San Diego is in the same planting zone (Zone 10).  There is a list of warm weather crops with suggested months to plant in the garden.  As mentioned, you may want to start summer crop seedlings ahead of time to gain growing time.


https://www.ufseeds.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-UrbanFarmer-Library/default/dw1d715b80/images/content/Planting-Zone-9.jpg

If you would like a visual, scroll all the way down to the end for a colorful chart on when to plant and harvest common vegetables.


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Gophers In The Gardens




Telltale signs of gopher activity are a frequent occurrence in the community gardens.  If you see a loose mound of dirt in your plot, there is a good chance there is gopher activity below.  Another sign of gopher activity in your plot is when you discover your vegetable plant is healthy one day, and suddenly wilted or gone the next day. 


 In an effort to control gopher activity in the garden, please help by:

  1. Report any loose mounds and/or sudden wilted plant activity in your plot to your area inspector or the chief inspector.
  2. Do not disturb any gopher traps that are set in the gardens.
  3. Do not fill any trap holes.
  4. Keep gopher trap holes dry - WATERING GOPHER HOLES DOES NOT HELP! 


Thank you for assisting with gopher control.



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Weed Management - "Nut Grass"



Nutsedge, also known as nutgrass, seeks out the moist, poorly drained sections of your yard. Its leaves are grass-like and yellow-green, while the spiky head is purple or yellow. It's a tough weed to control because it grows from tiny tubers, or nutlets, that form on roots and can grow 8-14 inches deep in the soil. Getting rid of this weed can be accomplished but it requires diligence and patience on the part of the gardener.  Learn more from this article from SFGATE.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/kill-nutsedges-vegetable-garden-40243.html




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Strawberries, Anyone?

As warmer weather is upon us, visions of gardens abundant with vegetables and fruits dance in our minds.  To keep gardening exciting, how about planting something you have never planted?  I have recently enjoyed salads at a fast food chain that contain strawberries and blueberries. This has inspired me to grow strawberries this year.  

 Click on the link below if you want to know how the ins and outs of planting strawberries. 

https://strawberryplants.org/4-secrets-to-growing-loads-of-organic-strawberries/

                                                           
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Organic Gardening Basics



Beneficial information for any gardener!

Everything you need to know to get your Spring/Summer Garden off to a great start. In a four part series, you tuber NEXT LEVEL GARDENING wants to give you all the info you need to start strong and learn all the basics of organic gardening! The material is very informative.


Part 1:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwCojS5gv70&list=RDCMUCcJceGUaevGlP7s2xzL9akA&start_radio=1&t=3

- Soil Type, Problems and Fixes ​ - Soil PH & Fixes ​ - Fertilizer Basics ​ - Watering Basics ​ - Pest & Disease Control ​ - Weed Control


Part 2:      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_XmUKSB4aI​

-Growing Zones / Hardiness Zones: ​ -Average First and Last Frost Dates ​ -Garden Placement​ -Raised Beds vs. In Ground Beds​ -No-Dig Gardening​ -Containers



-Cool Season vs Warm Season Crops ​ -Start Indoors or Out? ​ -Grow Light Basics:​ -Hardening Off​ -Seed Storage



This video covers several different ways to start seeds including three different seed starting mediums. Included is a variety of purchased and re-purposed containers and seed starting trays.

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Delicious Kale & Brussels Sprouts Salad


What's a gardener to do with all that kale growing in the garden?  Here is a very yummy kale and brussels sprouts salad that's tried and true!  I have made this salad many times and my little nieces and nephews LOVE IT!  I have substituted sliced cabbage for the brussels sprouts and it is just as delicious!  I hope you will give it a try!

Recipe from Bonappetit Magazine-

bonappetit/recipe/kale-and-brussels-sprout-salad


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DIY Projest - So Simple!


Garden stakes are a great way to secure row covers and netting in the garden.





Here is a simple way to create your own garden stakes.


Easy huh?

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Sweeter Root Crops







Ever wonder why some vegetables grown during the winter are sweeter? The following article explains why this is so.

 https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetables-that-get-sweet-in-winter.htm
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Root Vegetables

ROOT VEGETABLES


The cooler months are here.  We say goodbye to peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, okra, and our beloved tomatoes.  The garden plots transform into a palette of leaves and roots.  I see plots filled with brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower to name a few).  I personally cannot pass up the opportunity to grow root vegetables.  The taste of homegrown carrots will leave a lasting memory on one's taste buds. Personally, I do not feed my family raw, store bought carrots...yes, we are spoiled! 

Perusing you tube channels, I found two interesting vlogs dedicated to root vegetables.  These two channels collaborated in the making of some very information and planting techniques of root vegetables.  I hope you will check out these vlogs.



ROOTS AND REFUGE FARMS- Have you wondered why most beets have an earthy flavor?  Jess is a life long learner; through her research, she presents very interesting information on the how and whys of carrots, beets, and radishes.  

WHOLESOME ROOTS- Rose has a special way of sowing those tiny root vegetable seeds.  Learn about her special techniques for planting carrots and how she cooks radishes and beets.  Yummy!
18:41 minutes




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Using Hydrogen Peroxide In The Garden







Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is commonly used to disinfect wounds, disinfect toothbrushes, clear acne, and treat foot fungus.  Other household uses for H2O2 are to clean glass surfaces, remove tub scum, control mold and mildew, and disinfect household items (cutting boards, dish sponges, lunch boxes).

In the garden, hydrogen peroxide can be useful in controlling powdery mildew and control fungal disease on plants.  Gary Pilarchik, from The Rusted Garden, explains the mechanism in which hydrogen peroxide works, how to use it, and discusses the mechanism of other commercially known products.  It is well worth viewing as Gary shares the results of his trials with the use of hydrogen peroxide on his tomato plants.



PS.  My cucumber plant started developing powdery mildew on a few of its leaves.  I sprayed H2O2 (dilution of 12 tbsp./gal).  I was amazed with the results! The powdery mildew came to a screeching halt!  The effects of this spray are not lasting; in other words repeated applications are necessary for best results.  I encourage you to watch the video as it is extremely informative.



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Urban Wildlife In Lakewood




Ever hear neighbors and friends share stories of coyote and raccoon sightings in Lakewood?  I recently saw a pack of coyotes on my morning walk (still dark at 6 am) about a month ago.  Last week I saw a raccoon on South St. (at the crack of dawn).  Sightings of urban wildlife are becoming more frequent in our community.  The following article from LA Times discusses wildlife in southern California.

http://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-prevention-20141004-story.html


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