With the desert heat finally easing, Coachella Valley gardeners are preparing their yards, sowing seeds, and welcoming the start of the fall planting season in September.
Planting in the fall is an important time for plants to establish roots while the soil remains warm, before cooler temperatures in late fall and winter slow their growth. Another benefit of fall planting is that mild weather helps reduce pest and disease activity in the garden.
The mild climate also offers ideal conditions for growing cool-weather vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, and herbs like parsley, sage, and thyme. Other vegetables you can include in your garden are Brussels sprouts, radishes, beets, kale, cauliflower, onions, and peas. Fall is a perfect time to plant native, drought-tolerant trees and shrubs, along with flowers that will bloom in winter or early spring.
Tips for planting in the fall:
- Start in late September to avoid planting when it’s still too hot.
- To rejuvenate flower and vegetable beds, enrich the soil by incorporating organic matter like compost for drainage and fertility, and apply slow-release fertilizers for nutrients and healthy plant growth.
- Apply mulch to keep moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperatures.
- Consider using a cloth shade to reduce the intensity of the sun, especially for new plantings.
- Focus on deep and infrequent watering, which encourages deep root growth.
- Water in the early mornings to reduce evaporation.
- Reach out to local nurseries to receive plant recommendations.
To learn about more plants to use in your garden and to reference an irrigation guide, see CVWD’s “Lush and Efficient: Desert-Friendly Landscaping in the Coachella Valley”– available online at cvwd.org/LushEfficient. The irrigation guide is also available online at cvwd.org/watering-guide.
