Reader: I am about to start a victory garden of my own in San Diego. I have never gardened before a day in my life and have no idea what to do once I get everything started. Are there any books that you would recommend that would tell me what to do and how to do it?
RW&G: That's one of those "it depends" questions. It depends on...your location, what kind of garden you've got in mind (in ground or container), etc.
And while books are great--I have far too many myself, the Internet is a good, quick departure point for a newbie. It can be much easier to quickly acquire information specific to your region (sometimes even your county) than you can obtain from a mass-market book. Once you get going and established relationships with other gardeners in your region, then you can find out what they keep on their bookshelves for reference.
Here are three resources in your region:
• Sunset Magazine
They do a really nice job talking about cultivating food in the SW.
• California Cooperative Extension Offices
Extension offices often have both free literature and programs designed to help new gardeners get started. Use the map to drill down to your county and see what you can find.
• San Diego Roots
See especially their Victory Gardens San Diego website, which has some great, specific advice re: gardening in your area.
P.S. If you just have to have book in hand, note that all my fave general garden books are viewable in the RW&G Amazon store.
Readers: Do you have any other suggestions re: Southern California vegetable gardening?
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