What to plant in your French Garden?

Bonjour à tous les botanistes chefs de SF!

San Francisco is a beautiful concrete jungle and is far from a field of open land. However, with the right plants (and a very optimistic attitude), you can absolutely build your own petit French food garden right in your backyard, shared patio, or miniature balcony. 

Here is your guide to creating the ultimate French food garden that is SF-friendly, fog-compatible, and très gourmand! Obviously, you don’t need to plant all of these particular plants, you can switch some out or do your own research to add more. Think of this article as a guide for someone who is curious to grow their own personal Parisian mini farmers market.

What You Will Need:

• Containers: Choose pots or planters that are appropriate for your plants' size and your balcony's style. Consider lightweight options like plastic or fiberglass, and make sure all containers have drainage holes.
  
• Potting mix: Use a high-quality potting mix for containers, not garden soil. A good mix will include ingredients like: peat moss, perlite, and compost.
  
• Watering can: A good watering can is needed for keeping your plants hydrated. Watering needs will change based on your plants and the weather.
  
• Tools: A hand trowel for planting, scissors for trimming, and a small broom/dustpan to keep your garden clean.
  
• Fertilizer: A liquid fertilizer diluted in water works fine for many balcony gardens. 
  

Carrots: To grow French carrots, plant seeds in loose, well-drained soil in a sunny spot, sowing them shallowly and keeping them consistently moist until germination. Thin seedlings to about 2 inches apart, harvest when the roots reach the desired size~ about two months after planting.

Mara des Bois Strawberries: To plant strawberries, choose a sunny location with well-draining, slightly acidic soil and plant them about 12–18 inches apart. Water them regularly, especially during the first few weeks, and trim to prevent overcrowding. 

French Lavender: (In the summer) Plant in a location with full sun using draining, sandy, or alkaline soil. Water it only when the top of the soil is dry, and avoid overwatering. 

Meyer Lemons: (In the summer) To plant a Meyer lemon tree, choose a sunny location with at least six hours of direct sun and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but only as deep as the root ball, and plant the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the pot. Water thoroughly after planting to remove air pockets and keep the soil moist but not overboarded. 

Roma Tomatoes: Plant in a well lit spot with well-draining soil, bury the stem deeply for strong roots. Provide consistent watering of 1 to 2 inches per week, and use mulch to prevent diseases. Support the plants with sticks, cages, or stakes and fertilize regularly throughout the growing season.

Rosemary: Plant it in a well lit location with well-draining soil, water it when the top soil is dry, and avoid over-fertilizing. For indoor plants, place them in a bright window, especially if you live in a cooler climate.

Shallots: Separate the bulbs and plant them with the root end down and the pointy end up. Dig holes about 6-8 inches apart, place the bulbs so the tip is just at or slightly below the soil line, and cover them with soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, and add mulch to keep moisture.

OR

Leek: Choose a sunny spot with free-draining soil, where you haven't grown leeks or other members of the onion family for at least a few years. Weed the ground thoroughly. For a good crop of leeks, improve your soil by digging in two bucketfuls of garden compost or well-rotted manure per square metre/yard.

Tips and Tricks:

• Assess your space: Before buying anything, check how much sunlight your balcony gets throughout the day. Most plants need at least six hours of direct sun.
  
• Use vertical space: If you're short on floor space, use trellises or hanging planters to grow plants vertically.
  
• Water consistently: Check the soil moisture regularly to avoid over or underwatering. If the soil feels dry, it's time to water.
  
• Feed your plants: Follow the instructions on your chosen fertilizer and feed your plants regularly during the growing season.
  
• Don't overcrowd: Give your plants enough room to grow. Overcrowding can lead to poor air circulation and stress the plants.