Spring in your backyard

ISA KHALAK

Spring is a time of growth. As flowers bud and fruits ripen, the aroma of change fills the air. Nowhere is this feeling stronger than in a garden. With spring coming around the corner, people everywhere are starting to plant seeds. Some plants frequently grown during this time are tomatoes, peppers, squash, sunflowers, and poppies.

Jalapeño Pepper

Peppers can be a delight when they start growing, but the process is challenging. “Temperature is critical, and unless it’s warm enough, pepper seeds won’t sprout,” Susan Patterson said in “Jalapeño Plant Care.” However, there are many recipes that are accentuated by homegrown spicy peppers.

California Poppy

California’s state plant, the California poppy, has gold and orange petals that curl towards the sky. Plant the poppy during spring somewhere with abundant sun and leave it alone. Poppies grow best when not disturbed too much.

Sunstripe Summer Squash

Sunstripe summer squash is planted in spring and harvested in the summer. They can be picked early on and eaten as baby squash. However, if one waits for the squash to grow out, they can become quite large. Sunstripes will keep producing throughout the summer, so gardeners will always have a constant supply.

Lemon Queen Sunflowers

Sunflowers love the sun. Plant them in March and June in a place with minimal shade and room to grow. Since sunflowers are heliotropic, they will follow the sun’s path across the sky. These sunflowers also attract bees and add a finishing flourish to a backyard garden.

Green Tomatillo Tomato

Tomatoes are the perfect plant for beginners. The fruit is easy to grow and bountiful during harvest. Tomatoes are vines that grow on trellis or supports. Make sure they have something to support them so they can grow without bending or falling. The green tomatillo is also rewarding in the kitchens with its unique tangy flavor.