THE COASTAL GARDENER:

As spring approaches, Orange County gardeners revel in the beauty of their gardens. Flowers bloom, new leaves expand, and butterflies visit. It’s an exciting time, the most beautiful time for our gardens. The fresh air and mild temperatures seem to pull us outdoors, often just to enjoy the flowers or marvel in nature’s splendor.

During spring, gardeners often like to share their gardens with friends. Home garden tours and garden parties abound.

If your garden tends toward being California Friendly, why not show it off, encouraging others to follow your lead?

The California Friendly Garden Contest offers cash awards and recognition to those Orange County gardens that not only are beautiful, but demonstrate a sustainable, climate-appropriate approach.

Entry is free and simple, and the cash prizes include five $500 awards and a $2,500 grand prize. Entries are being accepted from now through April 4, but by entering early, your garden will be placed up front on the contest website.

The contest is organized and supported by a coalition of public agencies, environmental groups and green industry businesses in an effort to encourage and reward beautiful, water and resource-conserving gardens.

If you’re still not sure what a California Friendly garden is, you might just say it is a garden that “fits” Southern California. Much like a favorite pair of shoes or pants might perfectly fit a gardener; California Friendly Gardens perfectly fit were we live. Like good-fitting shoes, this garden isn’t a struggle and it doesn’t need extraordinary levels of maintenance.

These well-fitted gardens certainly incorporate plants that are naturally suited to Orange County’s Mediterranean climate of wet winters and dry summers. They may also demonstrate efficient ways to use water, such as grouping plants by water needs, using efficient irrigation systems and well-programmed or weather-sensitive controllers.

The judges of the contest will also be looking at ways the contestants keep water in the garden and off curbs and out of stormwater drains. This water, called landscape runoff, carries pollutants with it as it empties into local bays or the ocean. The use of organic principles, especially plant nutrition and sensible pest controls, will also be an advantage.

Entry into the contest requires submitting only three photographs, and contestants must answer three or four simple questions.

Last year, all contest participants were invited to a special awards evening, complete with great food, live music and wine. Prior to awards announcements, Ken Smith, master designer of the Orange County Great Park, gave a stirring multimedia presentation of plans for the park, outlined the progress thus far and offered an inspiring review of the environmental objectives at the former Marine base.

Then, shortly after sunset, the much-anticipated awards presentation began. Each of the semifinalists’ gardens was projected on a large movie screen while judges discussed the gardens and the reasons they were selected.

Finally, the winners of each of the categories were announced, concluding with the grand prize winner. Cash prizes were awarded, followed by applause, handshakes and congratulations. It was a fabulous evening.

It’s almost spring, the most beautiful time for our gardens. A time to share and learn from one another. To enter this year’s California Friendly Garden Contest or to learn more, go to www.rogersgardens.com/GardenContest. Good luck; I’ll see you there.

ASK RON

Question: When is the best time to plant tomatoes in Orange County, and what is your favorite variety for a home garden?

Steve

Newport Beach

Answer: Most gardeners plant tomatoes from small transplants. Although tempting, I would still wait another two or three weeks before planting these. The soil will be a bit warmer, the night temperatures a bit higher and the selection even better. As seasoned gardeners know, planting early doesn’t necessarily mean earlier fruit. The flowers won’t set fruit until the nights get warmer anyway.

As for the best tomato for the home garden, that answer would take an entire article (probably a good idea). But I will say that it probably will not be one of the popular tomato varieties you’re likely familiar with.

Stop by your local garden center and talk to the tomato expert on staff. But be careful, you may head home with a dozen little plants, not just one.

ASK RON your toughest gardening questions, and the expert nursery staff at Roger’s Gardens will come up with an answer. Please include your name, phone number and city, and limit queries to 30 words or fewer. E-mail stumpthegardener@rogersgardens.com, or write to Plant Talk at Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

RON VANDERHOFF is the nursery manager at Roger’s Gardens in Corona del Mar.