There’s something about spring that makes many of us want to grow something. Maybe it’s the extra daylight. Maybe it’s the way new leaves appear overnight. Or maybe it’s that hopeful feeling that this could be the year you finally start a garden.
But for first-time gardeners – whether you have a backyard, a small patio, or just a sunny window – getting started can feel overwhelming. What should you plant? Does your yard get enough sun? Is your soil sufficient? And in a region like the Bay Area, where foggy coastlines and warm inland valleys can be just a few miles apart, the answer to all of these questions may depend on exactly where you live.
To help demystify the process, we asked farmers – including several on POST-protected farmland – to share their best advice for home and apartment gardeners. Who better to learn from than people who spend their days tending the land and growing food?
Six Tips to Get You Growing
Start small
Almost every farmer we spoke with gave the same first piece of advice: start small. For many beginners, the excitement of spring can quickly turn into overcommitment. But as Veronica Mazariegos-Anastassiou of Brisa Ranch reflected, her own early attempt at gardening failed because she simply tried to do too much at once. She encourages new gardeners to begin with what they can realistically manage.
Teresa Kurtak of Fifth Crow Farm echoed that advice. Rather than planting everything at once, she recommends starting with crops that offer quick gratification, like arugula or baby greens, which you can grow in small containers. “Within a few weeks or a month you’re going to be harvesting something that you can eat, which is pretty exciting,” Teresa said. “And you can build up from there!”
Veronica also recommends buying starts from a local nursery rather than starting everything from seed. For beginners, starting with an already healthy plant can make the process feel much more approachable.
Choose crops that keep giving
As you decide what to grow, think about which plants will offer more than just one harvest. Mark Medeiros, POST’s Director of Community Engagement and co-founder of Veggielution, encourages beginners to choose varieties that continue producing throughout the season.
Lacinato (or dinosaur) kale, for example, can be harvested leaf by leaf for months. De Cicco broccoli produces small florets even after the main head is cut. Cherry tomatoes keep producing little by little, giving you something to harvest every few days. In smaller spaces, those kinds of crops can offer more return for the effort.
Garden where you are
Across the Bay Area, conditions can change dramatically within just a few miles, so what thrives in one location may struggle in another. Teresa emphasizes just how much microclimate matters. Along the coast, leafy greens can thrive in the cooler air, while warmer inland areas may require different timing. Spinach, for example, can struggle to germinate once temperatures rise, making it important to pay attention not just to what you plant, but when.
If you’re gardening in the South Bay, you likely have longer stretches of sun and warmer temperatures on your side. Mark notes that crops like tomatoes and peppers tend to thrive there thanks to consistent heat and clear days. In cooler coastal climates, those same crops can be more unpredictable and require extra patience.
Take stock of sunlight and shade
At the most basic level, much of this comes down to sunlight. John Vars of Fifth Crow Farm has seen new gardeners feel discouraged after planting ambitious crops in spaces that simply don’t receive enough light. Even the most carefully tended plant will struggle without consistent sun.
Before planting, take a few days to notice your surroundings. How many hours of direct sun does your space actually get? Where do fences or trees cast shade? How warm does your area stay in spring and summer? Choosing crops that align with your specific environment can make gardening far more rewarding.
Start with healthy soil
Whether you’re gardening in a raised bed, a backyard plot, or a few containers, soil quality matters. Mike Iacopi of Iacopi Farms puts it simply: “No matter the size of your garden, start with healthy soil. It should drain well and be loose, light, and fluffy so that roots can breathe.” If the soil is compacted or heavy with clay, plants can struggle before they even get a chance to establish themselves.
For gardeners planting directly in the ground, Veronica recommends beginning with a soil test. It can help identify nutrient levels, and, in some urban areas, whether heavy metals are present. For raised beds or containers, a quality soil mix from a local nursery creates a reliable starting point. If you compost at home, adding it to your beds can gradually build soil health over time.
No backyard? No problem
Even without a backyard, a patio, balcony, or even a sunny window can be enough to get started. In smaller spaces, containers serve as your garden beds, so pot size and drainage are especially important. Veronica notes that fruiting crops like tomatoes need larger containers to support deeper roots, while herbs and leafy greens are more forgiving in smaller pots. She encourages beginners not to over think the setup. “It doesn’t have to be fancy,” she says. Simple planter boxes, sturdy pots, or lightweight grow bags can all work well. Mark adds that choosing crops that grow vertically or allow for continuous harvest can make the most of limited square footage.
Because containers hold less soil than in-ground beds, they also dry out more quickly. That often means watering more consistently and keeping an eye on how plants respond, especially during warmer stretches.
What To Plant This Spring
Ready to get something in the ground? Here are a few farmer-approved picks for spring.
English peas, sugar snap peas and fava beans
Mike recommends these cool-season crops for early spring. They germinate quickly, are relatively easy to care for, and can be planted in the ground or in larger containers.
Leafy greens
Leafy greens, like lettuce, arugula, and baby mixes, are among the most reliable spring crops, especially in cooler coastal areas. They offer quick, early harvests, making them especially rewarding for beginners.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a classic late-spring crop once temperatures warm. They require full sun and benefit from staking or trellising, but they’re otherwise straightforward to grow in warm conditions. In the right climate, such as those found in the South Bay, a single plant can produce for months.
Peppers
Because many pepper varieties remain relatively compact, they adapt well to both garden beds and larger pots. In warm, sunny conditions, they can produce steadily for months.
Herbs
Herbs such as basil, parsley, and cilantro are manageable for beginners and bring immediate flavor to home cooking.
Native Flowers
Spring is also a great time to add pollinator-friendly plants alongside your vegetables. We encourage incorporating native flowers and plants, which are adapted to our local climate and provide essential habitat for bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects that help keep gardens healthy.
Local Gardening Resources
Local nurseries and garden centers
Independent nurseries are often your best first stop. Staff typically understand local microclimates and can recommend what grows well in your specific area. Many also carry regionally appropriate soil mixes, compost, and plant starts that make getting started easier.
UC Master Gardeners
The UC Master Gardeners offer science-based guidance for home gardeners. Local county programs host plant sales, workshops, and community events, and may offer help lines for specific gardening questions. It’s a reliable way to get expert advice specific to your area.
Community gardens and volunteering
If your home space is limited, or you simply want to learn alongside others, community gardens and farms provide valuable hands-on experience. Organizations like Fresh Approach, Pie Ranch, and Garden for the Environment offer workshops, volunteer days, and shared growing spaces. Programs such as La Mesa Verde or Valley Verde help low-income households build and sustain home gardens. Wherever you live, exploring programs in your own city or county can be a great way to build skills and connect with fellow gardeners. (Note: some community garden plots may have waitlists.)
Plant sales and seed libraries
Spring plant sales, like those hosted by the UCSC Center for Agroecology or the California Native Plant Society, are excellent places to find healthy starts and locally adapted plants. Some public libraries also offer seed libraries, allowing gardeners to access free seeds.
Public gardens
Maybe you’re not ready or able to start a garden this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the restorative benefits of soaking up sun in a plant-filled oasis. Fortunately, there are plenty of free or low-cost public gardens that you can visit near home.
Growing Forward
You don’t need acres of land or perfect conditions to begin – what matters most is simply starting. Growing even a handful of plants can change the way you see food and the land around you. When you watch a plant slowly grow from seed to harvest, it builds patience and a deeper appreciation for the care that farming requires.
As Mark put it, “Caring for plants is such an ancient human thing that we do… I think it’s everybody’s birthright to engage with nature and plants.” You don’t have to get everything right the first time, just trust that you can do it. This spring, keep it simple, stay consistent and let yourself enjoy the process.
Meet the Experts
Fifth Crow Farm
fifthcrowfarm.com
Fifth Crow Farm
fifthcrowfarm.com
Iacopi Farms
instagram.com/iacopifarms
Brisa Ranch
brisaranch.com
POST's Director of Community Engagement
Featured
About Post
Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 97,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more
