Living in Southern California offers the unique advantage of a year-round growing season, thanks to our favorable climate. Whether you have a sprawling yard or just a house that almost touches all fences, you can create a beautiful garden that adds a splash of color to your space. With Manhattan Beach being in USDA Hardiness Zone 10B, you have plenty of options for plants that thrive in our warm, coastal environment. Here are some ideas for creating a small garden, even in limited spaces, and recommendations for planting and landscaping in June and July.
Creating a Small Garden
- Container Gardening: Perfect for small spaces like balconies or patios, container gardening allows you to grow a variety of plants in pots or other containers. Choose pots of different sizes and colors to add visual interest.
- Vertical Gardening: Maximize your space by growing plants vertically. Use trellises, wall-mounted planters, or vertical garden kits to create a lush, green wall. This is great for herbs, succulents, and even some local favorites like jasmine and bougenvilla.
- Raised Beds: If you have a bit more space, consider building raised garden beds. These are excellent for growing a range of plants, from flowers to vegetables, and they make gardening more accessible by reducing the need to bend down.
- Hanging Baskets: Utilize overhead space with hanging baskets. They’re perfect for trailing plants like petunias, fuchsias, and ivy, adding a touch of elegance and color at eye level.
Adding Color to Your Yard
- Colorful Annuals: Brighten up your garden with annual flowers that bloom throughout the summer. Marigolds, zinnias, and impatiens are excellent choices for adding vibrant colors.
- Perennial Favorites: For long-lasting beauty, incorporate perennials such as lavender, salvia, and coneflowers. These plants return year after year, providing consistent color.
- Succulents and Cacti: Given our dry climate, succulents and cacti are perfect for adding unique textures and colors to your garden. They’re low maintenance and thrive in zone 10B conditions.
- Flowering Shrubs: Add structure and color with flowering shrubs like bougainvillea, hibiscus, and oleander. These plants are hardy in our zone and offer stunning blooms.
Planting and Landscaping in June and July
- Heat-Tolerant Vegetables: In zone 10B, you can continue planting heat-tolerant vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and beans. These crops thrive in the warm summer months.
- Herbs: Herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary do exceptionally well in the summer heat. Plant them in containers or directly in the ground for a fresh supply of flavors for your cooking.
- Irrigation: Efficient watering is crucial during the hot summer months. Consider installing a drip irrigation system to ensure your plants receive consistent moisture without wasting water.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the roots cool. Organic mulches like straw, wood chips, or compost are great options.
- Shade Solutions: Protect delicate plants from the intense summer sun by providing some shade. Use shade cloths, pergolas, or strategically plant taller plants to cast shade on more sensitive species.
- Pruning: Keep your garden tidy by deadheading spent flowers and pruning overgrown plants. This encourages new growth and helps maintain the health and appearance of your garden.
Our Favorite Local Nurseries
You can often find us at some of local nurseries, purchasing plants to spruce up our clients’ curb appeal, or for our own home gardening projects.
Toro Nursery- Love that you can drive through and add plants to your car as you go. Simply pull up and pay on the way out
Maria’s Garden Center- A local favorite it’s easy to spend several hours, and dollars there. The friendliest staff and a family owned business.
Creating a small garden or adding a splash of color to your yard in Manhattan Beach is both rewarding and enjoyable. By utilizing techniques like container gardening, vertical gardening, and choosing the right plants for zone 10B, you can make the most of your outdoor space, no matter its size. With thoughtful planting and landscaping in June and July, your garden will thrive and bring joy throughout the summer. Happy gardening!