Question
I am a first time gardener and live about 1 block away from the beach in the outer Richmond. I am going to start a few plants in 6 wine barrels and am wondering what the best plants are for a first timer, near the beach using barrels. I would love to do some greens (swiss chard, kale, lettuce), herbs and squash. Any suggestions?
Lauren
San Francisco
Answer
You can be quite successful growing vegetables and flowers in barrels, even so close to the beach. The greens you mention will be fine as they can be grown nearly year round. You should also consider starting your cole vegetables, broccoli, Brussels's sprouts and cabbage. Peas and green onions will also like your weather and are easily started from seed. It is too late to plant squash now. For herbs, plant parsley, oregano, catnip, and rosemary. Sage, thyme and basil want it warmer and can be finicky.
Annual flowers that can be planted with your vegetables are Alyssum, Lobelia, Cosmos, marigolds and summer snapdragons. You want to keep the finished flowers picked off to keep the plants happily blooming. This is what we call "deadheading".
Lantana, succulents, Armeria (Thrift), Euphorbia, Coreopsis, Erigeron, Agapanthus, Dianthus and Argyranthemum (Marguerite daisy) are easy, colorful perennials for the coast.
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