Spring community gardening class set for Wednesday

In Canyon Lake’s climate, spring gardening can be challenging for both new and experienced gardeners.

Canyon Lake‘s long, hot summers can be harsh on many plants, so it‘s crucial to start planting early and choose the right plants. Some plants like lettuce, peas, and carrots only thrive for a short time during spring and die off in the summer. In contrast, others such as sweet potatoes, okra, and chilies love the hot summers.

For a bountiful harvest, most plants require a strong and early start. Tomatoes and bell peppers, for example, do well when planted in March as strong plants, but fare even better when planted earlier and protected from frost. Online stores offer certain varieties of vegetable and fruit seeds that can tolerate high heat better.

This Mini Fairy Garden Project will be one of the options to create at the Fairy/Dinosaur Garden Workshop at Sierra Park on March 29.Photo provided by Kelly Lopez

The Canyon Lake Community Gardeners will be holding a spring planting workshop on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Indian Beach. The club welcomes anyone who is interested in gardening to attend.

“The workshop will focus on growing sweet potatoes, which are very well suited to Canyon Lake’s long hot summers,” Kelly Lopez, of the community gardeners club, said. “We will also explain what fruits, vegetables and flowers to grow now and easy ways to get them started.”

A Fairy/Dinosaur Garden Workshop at Sierra Park will take place on March 29 at 3:30 p.m. Children will learn how to plant and nurture their own mini gardens with fairy and dinosaur themed tiny figurines.

The class will also include seed starting demonstrations on how to grow vegetables and gardens from seed. Wristbands for the event can be pre-purchased for $20.

Workshop members are encouraged to bring any plants, seeds or fall/winter harvest that they would like to swap. For more information contact Kelly at 951-609-6723.