There’s nothing better than garden-fresh salsa on a hot summer day in Salina—especially when you grew the ingredients (or most of them) yourself! Since April is here and we’re past most of the hard freezes (fingers crossed, right?), now’s the perfect time to start planting your very own salsa garden.
Whether you’re working with a raised bed in the backyard, a few patio pots, or a full garden plot, you can grow everything you need for that perfect, zesty dip—just in time for peak tomato season.
What to Plant in Your Salsa Garden
Here in central Kansas (Zone 6b), timing is everything. Here’s what to plant and how to get the most out of your salsa crop:
🍅 Tomatoes
Mid to late April is a great time to transplant tomato seedlings into the garden—but keep an eye on the forecast for those surprise cold snaps! Roma, Celebrity, and Early Girl varieties do especially well in our area. Choose disease-resistant types and plant them deep for strong roots.
🌶 Peppers
Wait until after the last average frost date—typically around April 20–25 in Salina—before setting out pepper plants. Jalapeños, serranos, and sweet bell peppers thrive in the Kansas sun. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a hotter variety like cayenne or habanero for some real kick.
🌿 Cilantro
Cilantro loves our spring weather but bolts quickly in summer heat. Plant seeds now and every few weeks through May to keep a fresh supply. Once it bolts, let it go to seed and harvest coriander later in the season!
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If you haven’t planted them already, you can pick these up at the grocer once your other produce is ready for harvesting:
🧅 Onions
Onions usually need a few weeks of colder weather to get going, so the best time to plant them in Salina is late-February through March. Think Candy or Walla Walla, both of which are reliable choices that grow well in Kansas soil. Depending on when you’re reading this, you might still have time to get them in, but plan early next year and they’ll be ready to harvest in early summer—just in time to pair with your tomatoes.
🧄 Garlic
Traditionally planted in the fall, garlic cloves overwinter and are ready to harvest by early summer. If you missed that window, check local farmers’ markets for green garlic or grow a few cloves in containers for a lighter, fresher flavor.
🍋 Limes
Okay, Salina’s climate isn’t exactly lime-friendly—but every good salsa needs a squeeze of citrus. Keep a few on hand or try growing a dwarf lime tree indoors in a sunny window just for fun.
Kansas Growing Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get the best result from your gardening efforts:
- Sunlight: Full sun is a must—at least 6–8 hours per day.
- Soil: Sandy loam or well-draining soil is ideal. Add compost or aged manure to boost fertility.
- Watering: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong roots. Our Kansas wind can dry things out fast, so check moisture often.
- Mulch: A layer of straw or shredded leaves will help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
Bonus Tip:
And this is a HUGE bonus — you have access to a FREE full gardening guide, published by the K-State Research and Extension Service and written specifically with our Kansas weather, soil and planting zones in mind. Simply click here to see it and feel free to read it, download it or print it (bear in mind before hitting that print button — it’s over 200 pages long). 😮
Where to Buy Your Garden Starters in Salina
Salina is a gardening town, thus there are many places to buy plants for a jump start on your vegetable garden. Here are some trusted places around Salina to pick up your salsa garden essentials:
Stutzman’s Greenhouse – New location in the Central Mall parking lot
Bomgaars Farm & Home – Located at 360 North Ohio Street
Lowe’s Home Improvement – 3035 South 9th Street
Walmart – 2900 South 9th Street
Menards – 805 Virginia Drive
Waters Hardware –460 South Ohio Street
Harbor Freight – 1808 South 9th Street
Get Ready for Salsa Season
If you start planting now, you’ll be slicing tomatoes and chopping peppers for fresh salsa by mid to late July. Whether you like it chunky, spicy, or mild, nothing beats the taste of homegrown ingredients picked fresh from your own garden.
So grab your gloves, hit up one of Salina’s local garden centers, and let’s get planting. Your summer salsa enjoyment is just a couple of months away!
🌱 Happy gardening—and even happier snacking! 🌶
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