SoCal Food Forest & Regenerative Gardening Guide for March
Looking to simplify garden care for your Southern Coastal California edible regenerative garden?
Our comprehensive regenerative gardening guide is designed to streamline garden maintenance for native gardens and food forests in Sunset zones 22, 23, and 24 or USDA zone 10b, focusing specifically on coastal Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Engaging with your California garden fosters a deeper connection to the local ecosystem and supports sustainable gardening practices. By spending more time stewarding your garden, your investment will pay off in many ways and you will reap countless benefits your garden has to offer.
Remember, gardening in Southern California is both an art and a journey. Perfection isn't required; a truly successful garden is one that brings you joy and complements the Southern California coastal climate. Let this guide help you cultivate a garden that thrives this March and beyond.
Weather and Climate in Southern Coastal California – March Gardening Insights
“Water flows from high in the mountains / Water runs deep in the Earth / Miraculously, water comes to us, And sustains all life.” Thich Nhat Hanh
March Gardening Weather: March welcomes warmer days and cool nights in Southern Coastal California, with average temperatures ranging from 49°F (9°C) to 67°F (20°C). The longer daylight hours and those wonderful deep rains we recently received will encourage robust plant growth. Stay prepared for variable weather, including potential rain on March 6 and March 11, which can impact watering schedules and plant care routines. 🌞
Blooms, Color, and Pollinators – Attracting Local Wildlife
Spring Blooms for Southern California Gardens:
Spring is the season of vibrant colors and buzzing pollinators. Here are some native plants that will be supporting local wildlife this coming month:
🌼 California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica): The state flower with bright orange petals, perfect for attracting bees and butterflies.
💜 Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum): Delicate blue-purple flowers that draw diverse pollinators.
🌿 Sticky Monkey Flower (Diplacus aurantiacus): Tubular orange flowers that are a favorite of hummingbirds.
🌾 Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii): Fragrant purple blooms loved by bees and butterflies.
🌞 Island Bush Poppy (Dendromecon harfordii): Bright yellow flowers that enhance landscapes and support pollinators.
Harvests – Fresh Picks from Your Edible Garden🥬
What to Harvest in March: March offers a bountiful harvest for your Southern California edible garden:
🥗 Leafy Greens: Arugula, lettuce, spinach, and kale at their peak.
🥕 Root Vegetables: Beets, carrots, radishes, ginger and turnips ready for the table.
🥦 Brassicas: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kohlrabi in abundance.
🌿 Herbs: Cilantro, parsley, dill, and chervil to enhance seasonal dishes.
🌿 Peas: Snow peas and snap peas with crisp, sweet pods.
Planting – March Garden Planting Guide
🌱 What to Plant in March: Ideal for both cool-season and warm-season crops:
❄️ Cool-Season Vegetables: Continue sowing lettuce, spinach, and peas early in March.
☀️ Warm-Season Vegetables: As temps rise, plant tomatoes, squash, beans, and corn.
🌿 Start seeds indoors for eggplant, peppers, and tomatoes for late April or early May transplanting (Source: gardeninginla.net).
🌿 Herbs: Direct-sow basil, chives, and cilantro.
🌼 Flowers: Marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers to attract pollinators and brighten your garden.
Garden Maintenance – March Essentials🔧 Top Garden Maintenance Tasks:🌿 Weed Control: Remove weeds to avoid competition for nutrients.
🌾 Mulching: Conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weeds.💧 Irrigation: Adjust watering based on rainfall; deep watering for strong roots.🌱 Fertilizing: Apply organic fertilizers for robust fruit and vegetable growth.
✂️ Pruning: Trim dead/damaged branches for healthy new growth.
Local Events and Resources – Engage with Your Gardening Community📅 March Gardening Events:
🌿 Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour: End of March; showcases native plant gardens across Los Angeles County (gardendesign.com).
🌸 South Coast Botanic Garden: Visit for inspiration and to see what's blooming (southcoastbotanicgarden.org).
🌿 Pachamama Inspired Resource Library: Discover native plant guides, sustainable practices, and edible gardening tips (pachamamainspired.com).
Get Inspired: This month's guide includes a refreshing Spring Garden Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette 🥗🍋—the perfect recipe to enjoy your garden’s bounty. 🌿
Spring Garden Herb Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
🍋Celebrate the fresh flavors of your early spring harvest with this light and refreshing salad. Featuring garden greens, vibrant herbs, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette, it’s the perfect way to enjoy your homegrown produce.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed garden greens (arugula, spinach, and lettuce)
- 1 cup snap peas, sliced1 cup radishes, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh herbs (such as parsley, cilantro, dill, chives and chervil)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta (optional)
- Edible flowers (like nasturtiums or calendula) for garnish
Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp finely diced shallot (optional)
- Juice of 1 lemon1 tsp
- Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tsp honey or agave (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the garden greens, snap peas, radishes, fresh herbs, and avocado slices.
- In a small jar or bowl, add the shallot, lemon juice and salt and allow to macerate for about 15 min to melt together developing a more complex flavor.
- Whisk in the olive oil, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Garnish with crumbled feta and edible flowers for a beautiful, seasonal touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the flavors of spring straight from your garden!🌞
This simple salad not only highlights the fresh produce from your garden but also brings a burst of spring to your plate—perfect for outdoor lunches and garden gatherings. Feel free to adjust ingredients based on what is growing in your garden!
Five Years of Growth, Resilience & Gratitude
This March marks five years since Pachamama Inspired first took root—and it has been a journey shaped by both the beauty and challenges of our times. We officially registered our business the same week the world shut down. Just days after we filed our DBA, the stay-at-home orders were mandated, reshaping the way we all lived and connected with the land.
In the years that followed, we adapted through California’s water restrictions, shifting climate conditions, and the increasing impact of wildfires. Through it all, gardens became places of healing—not just for the land, but for the people tending them.
What began as a passion for teaching people to grow food in a beautiful way has evolved into something far greater. We’ve witnessed the power of gardens to restore ecosystems, nurture friendships, and create spaces of resilience in a rapidly changing world. We’ve seen what’s possible when we listen to the land, tend it with care, and embrace our role in its ongoing story.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible clients who entrusted us with their visions, the consultants and collaborators who have shared their wisdom, and the many friends we have made along the way.
As we look ahead to the next five years, we remain committed to the practice of reciprocity—giving back to the land as it gives to us. We will continue to expand rewilding efforts, foster regenerative landscapes, and create spaces that heal, nourish, and inspire.
With deep appreciation and a heart full of gratitude,
Sara & the Pachamama Inspired Team
"A garden is a place of many blessings, not least of which is that it offers us a place to stand in the world with gratitude, to know that we belong to something larger than ourselves." — Robin Wall Kimmerer
