What to Plant: January and February

While it may feel like winter we're getting close to prime planting season for our coastal, Mediterranean climate. Aren't you lucky you need to pull weeds while your friends are shoveling snow? Look at how long the list is for February!! I'm expecting all gardeners to have their plots planted by March 31.

January

Collard greens (after Jan 15)

Leeks

Onion (seeds)
Onion (sets)
Mustard greens (after Jan 15)
Radishes
Radish, Daikon
Rhubarb (bare root)
Turnips

Worth trying:
Artichoke (rootstock)
Cabbage plants (after Jan 15)
Carrots
Chard
Fava Beans
Garlic (sets)
Lettuce
Peas
Shallots (sets)

February

Beets

Broccoli (plants)

Cabbage (plants)

Cauliflower (plants)
Carrots (after Feb 15)

Chard (after Feb 15)
Collards
Kohlrabi

Leeks
Lettuce (after Feb 15)
Mustard Greens

Onions (sets)

Parsnip (after Feb. 15)
Peas
Potato tubers (after Feb. 15)
Radish, Daikon

Radishes

Spinach (you only have a 6 week window starting Feb. 1 for best spinach growing)
Turnips

Worth trying:
Cabbage (plants)
Carrots (Feb 1-15)
Cauliflower
Chard (Feb 1-15)
Chinese Cabbage
Garlic (sets)
Lettuce (Feb 1-15)

Photos from Nov 15 Plot Checks

Do you recognize any of these as your plants?!

While I don't generally recommend peppers, this plant has a decent crop!

Nice looking striped summer squash- if your plant survives the powdery mildew of summer, you can often get zucchini through Thanksgiving, if you aren't sick of them yet ;)

Lovely, deep red chicories-a perfect winter crop.

These always remind me of space ships- kohlrabi. One of many 'cole' crops we grow- all relations of the early field cabbages.
Brassica is a genus of plants in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The members of the genus are collectively known as cruciferous vegetables, cabbages, or mustards. Crops from this genus are sometimes called cole crops, which is derived from the Latin caulis, meaning stem or cabbage.^{[1]- from Wikipedia}

While you are not supposed to let you vegetables go to seed instead of harvesting them, this is a very pretty artichoke flower- but it is a thistle which means the seeds will be likely to fly everywhere. Best to cut the artichokes and eat them!

Portola Garden Day- 11/3/13

Ready for planting

Compost for garden plots

Busy garden

 
 

New herb garden

Field Trip to Treasure Island: Job Corps Farm

On Monday November 4, 2013 we took a trip to visit Corey Block who built and manages the Farm on Treasure Island. It is part of the culinary education program at Job Corps. This one acre parcel started out as a blank slate, and after being awarded a stimulus grant, was transformed into an amazing educational farm with an outdoor kitchen, orchard, raised beds, and chickens. It was really inspiring and very sunny! Here's a short SF Gate article from November 2012.

Here are some photos I took:

the outdoor kitchen, including wood fired oven

in case you didn't believe me when I tell you that mint needs to be contained in a pot!

fun beds made from urbanite- including some from the demolition of the Bay Bridge

the garden is used by the culinary program

Finn checking out the nesting boxes in the chicken coop

Community Gardeners Potluck: October 20, 2013

October 15 Plot Checks

In the gardens today I took a few photos to share:

The first apple from a tree donated a few years ago at the West Washington Community Garden

Perfect for the season! At Portola Community Garden
For an October harvest, pumpkins should be planted in May.

This is what broccoli looks like when it's not harvested- look closely and you can see the long seed pods forming.

Flowers on a lemon tree salvaged from the compost heap many year ago. Since we transplanted it into a wine barrel and moved it to the Portola Community Garden it has thrived. The flowers smell wonderful!

These are very small lemons! 

From last week at the Ft. Scott Community Garden: a cross orb weaver spider or a "Pumpkin Spider"- perfect for the time of year they are mature! Araneus diadematus Check out this article from last year: Bay Nature article and one from SF Gate.

Check back next month and maybe you will see a photo of your garden plot!

What to Plant: October, November, December

October
Garlic: The 15th is the traditional day to plant garlic. Garlic should be purchased from a disease-free supplier. Here's an example: Territorial Seed Garlic is planted (pointy end up!) and grows over the winter. In early summer it starts turning brown and you have to stop watering so it doesn't mold. Then when the plant is about 50% brown you pull them and let them cure for a bit before cutting off the leaves or braiding them. Garlic is a fun crop and there are many varieties out there.

Artichoke (root-stock): You purchase a smallish root and plant it. Then you have a huge artichoke plant, so think about how much space you want to devote to this vegetable! Make sure it doesn't grow into the pathways- plant them in the center of the boxes.

Carrots (seeds): Always grow carrots from seeds! They do like warm soil, so we are getting to the end of carrot growing season, but give them a try. You need to sow fairly thickly and then thin, thin, thin the plants so you end up with about 2" between each carrot.

Chard
Fava beans- for food or as a cover crop
Lettuce
Onion (seeds)
Parsnips (seeds)
Peas
Radish (seeds)
Shallots (sets):
     What is a shallot set? Sets are bundles of small bulbs- you buy them for shallots and onions. Each small          bulb should grow into a full sized bulb ready for harvest. I haven't had much success with shallots, but            have had some great onion harvests- plant them in January.
Spinach: week 1 & 2


November
Artichoke (rootstock)
Fava Beans
Garlic 
Peas (snap, sugar): This is it for fall pea planting! Protect the new plants from birds and snails- use a small plastic bottle or even a milk carton once the seed sprouts. You can start the seeds indoors 3 weeks before planting outside. And then go build a nice sturdy trellis so your peas are happy and productive!! They need a trellis. 
Strawberry (plants): This is the best time of year to plant strawberries! The winter cold improves their ability to produce fruit. If you buy plants in containers, it's easy to plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot. If you buy bare-root plants it's important not to bury the crown (where the top meets the roots). Space 10" apart, keeping soil level around them, 6" from edge of garden box. Cut off any runners that grow to encourage the mother plant to develop and make more fruit.

Radishes

These may be worth trying:
Cabbage (plants)
Chard
Leeks
Lettuce
Mustard greens

December
Radish
Rhubarb

These may be worth trying:
Artichoke (root-stock)
Chard
Fava Beans
Garlic
Leeks
Lettuce
Shallots (sets)

Don't forget to visit your garden over the winter- the weeds will be growing even when you aren't there!

October Garden Notes

Fall is definitely here! The mornings are damper, the days getting shorter, and we have lots and lots of sunshine (finally!). We've been busy working; here are a few notes about garden happenings:

In the historic Ft. Scott Garden we've been hosting corporate groups to help us with larger projects- removing ivy and blackberry vines, and creating new, usable spaces; we're moving the composting area so that the old composting area can become our new gathering space.

Here's a "before" picture of the new compost area:

Thanks to Salesforce.com for 2 hours of ivy clearing on September 26th- they were hard workers! -->


We want to feature our historic stone walls, not hide them behind compost bins! Come to the potluck on Sunday Oct. 20 starting at 11am to explore this historic gem of the Presidio. Here is the webpage for the garden.

At the MacArthur Community Garden we'll be working with 10 members of the freshman class of the Bay School to weed and mulch the pathways: October 16 from 9:30-11:30am.

Here's another use for a pea trellis! The hawks are in the garden all the time keeping me company. Sometimes we see owls too, but they are usually hiding during the day.

What's going on in the plots right now?

• Folks who planted fall crops have some really nice gardens growing. One member at Baker Beach was having trouble getting her garden to grow. I spent an hour or so helping to prep the soil and plant on Sept 9 and I was amazed at how everything had grown when I checked on the plots Oct 7. If you are struggling or want some help, please email me and I'm happy to come out! 

• Powdery mildew, which always strikes during the fog days of summer, is abating with all the sunshine. Cut off all affected leaves and put them in the compost bins. The plant will usually keep growing and producing. Watch for the mildew on chard, kale, broccoli, and squash.

• Check your plants for baby snails and aphids. Both should be removed and squashed. If a plant is seriously infected with aphids, I suggest removing it completely. What does an aphid infestation look like? Usually a lot of grey fuzz, but on chives I've seen black aphids. 

• Don't forget to water! The rainy season hasn't started yet, and while it is damp in the morning you still need to check your garden at least twice a week. Check the moisture by putting a finger into the soil 1-2" deep. If it's dry, water it. 
• Haven't planted fall crops? You can plant a cover crop instead- fava beans are great. They grow over the winter, fixing nitrogen. Then in the spring you chop them up and mix them into the soil. They break down and add lots of nutrients to your soil. A great alternative to winter veggies.

Photos- fun garden finds during August plot checks

The largest turnip I've ever seen- in a plot at the Portola Community Garden.

These have been popping up all over the Ft. Scott Community Garden. Notice the flies? This fungus is commonly known as a Latticed Stinkhorn (Clathrus ruber) and the smell of rot attracts flies, which disperse the spores.

What to plant in September and October

August is the key month for getting crops planted for a fall harvest. But sometimes your garden is still full in August. Here's what you can plant after your summer crops finish:

September
Artichoke (rootstock)
Broccoli (seedlings)
Cabbage (seedlings)
Carrots (seeds)
Cabbage (seedlings)
Cauliflower (seedlings) week 1 & 2
Chard
Fava beans
Lettuce
Mustard greens: week 1 & 2
Parsnips (seeds)
Radishes (seeds)
Spinach
Turnip (seeds)

October
Artichoke (rootstock)
Carrots (seeds)
Chard
Fava beans
Garlic: week 2 & 3
Lettuce
Onion (seeds)
Parsnips (seeds)
Peas
Radish (seeds)
Shallots (sets)
Spinach: week 1 & 2

[suggestions compiled from Golden Gate Gardening and Krank Press Bay Area Gardening Calendar. They have differing suggestions- both are included. See what works for you!]

What to plant in July and August

July in the garden is time to think about planting your fall crops!

Plant in July
Beets
Bok Choy
Broccoli (seedlings)
Brussels sprouts (seedlings)
Cabbage (seedlings)
Carrots (always seeds)- 1st 2 weeks of July
Cauliflower- long season varieties (seedlings)
Collards
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Mustard greens
Parsnips (always seeds)
Peas
Potato tubers (order disease free ones on-line)- 1st 2 weeks
Radish
Rutabega (seeds)
Swiss Chard
Turnips (seeds)
Zucchini- 1st two weeks of July

Plant in August
Bok Choy
Fava Beans
Cabbage (seedlings)
Cauliflower- long season varieties (seedlings)
Napa Cabbage
Collards
Lettuce
Kale
Mustard Greens
Parsnips (always seeds)- 1st 2 weeks of August
Peas
Radish
Rutabega
Spinach- last 2 weeks of August
Swiss Chard
Turnips (seeds)

Dealing with Birds in the Gardens

I've had a few questions about keeping birds from eating berries and leaves in the gardens.

First: DO NOT use 'bird netting' sold in many garden centers. It is flimsy and the birds get caught in it and die.

Here are a few ideas:

• mylar tape tied to your trellis so it blows in the wind

 http://www.amazon.com/Bird-Gone-MMFT050-Flash-tape/dp/B001H1HNPQ/ref=pd_sim_lg_6

• paint golf balls red and put them in the strawberry plants- then when the birds peck them, they find them rather unpalatable and learn not to keep trying!

• make a small box or hoop out of chicken wire, window screening, very sturdy plastic mesh (usually sold as fencing) or "hardware cloth"- the same kind of wire mesh that is on the bottom of your box to keep the gophers out.

http://happyfarming.com/2009/07/06/strawberry-cage/

Hardware cloth: 5'x24" roll at Ace @ Clement & 11th: $11 (the 1/2" mesh will be fine) or in bulk at Crown Hardware at 3615 Balboa: $2.49/ft for 3' or 4' wide rolls

Plastic netting that is OK to use:

Blue Hawk 48-in x 50-ft Black Plastic/Polyresin Perimeter Fence

Item #: 157766 |  Model #: 419594 at Lowe's

 http://www.lowes.com/pd_157766-13113-419594_4294642673__?productId=3457518&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FotherTabURL%3D%252Fnp_Howto%252BProject_0__s%253FgoToProdList%253Dtrue%2526Ntt%253Dorbital%252Bsaw%26Ns%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

• something like this might work as well, but I haven't tried it:

http://www.amazon.com/Mesh-food-nets-Set-White/dp/B005ELCAPS/ref=pd_sim_lg_6

• protect individual or clumps of berries by using jars or strawberry baskets

• and to protect seedlings, make an inexpensive version of a cloche: http://20minutegarden.com/2008/03/03/diy-garden-cloches/

Whatever you use, please be sure that they don't blow away, and that you store them in your apartment when you are done, not in the garden.

Places to look for seeds, seedlings & garden supplies

Physical Stores:


Ace Hardware
Standard Plumbing Ace Hardware
152 Clement St. (corner of 3rd Ave) SF, CA 
Phone: (415)221-1888. Fax: (415)221-0125.
E-mail: standard@pacbell.net.

Standard 5 & 10
3545 California Street, SF CA (Laurel Village)
(415) 751-5767

Central Ace Hardware
1949 Post Street, SF CA
(415) 931-7503

 

Clement Nursery

1921 Clement St, SF CA

(415) 750-3990

Cole Hardware

956 Cole Street (between Carl & Parnassus), SF CA
(415) 753-2653

2254 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA
(415) 674-8913

Common Ground Organic Garden Supply and Education Center
559 College Ave., Palo Alto, CA, 94306
(650) 493-6072
www.commongroundinpaloalto.org

Goodman Building Supply
775 Redwood Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-6233

Green Jeans Garden Supply
690 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, CA
(415) 389-8333

Petaluma Seed Bank
199 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 773-1336

Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom Street, SF CA
(415) 863-0620

Sloat Garden Center
2700 Sloat Blvd., SF CA
(415) 566-4415

327 3rd Ave. @ Clement, SF CA
(415) 752-1614

3237 Pierce Street @ Chestnut, SF CA
(415) 440-1000

657 E. Blithedale Ave., Mill Valley, CA
(415) 388-0102

*And of course, keep an eye out while you're out and about!

Mail Order:
To the best of my knowledge, these are small-ish seed companies, dedicated to heirloom, organic, non-GMO, rare etc. seeds.

http://www.bountifulgardens.org/

http://www.groworganic.com/

http://www.seedsavers.org/

http://www.rareseeds.com/

http://www.territorialseed.com/

http://www.johnnyseeds.com/

What to plant in May & June

Spring vegetable plantings are starting to come to the end of their annual life cycles- my spinach, chard, and mustard greens are just about "done"- they are growing taller, flower buds are forming, and in the case of spinach, the leaves are changing shapes- they become much more triangular. I know the lettuce will be next.

That means it's time to think about new plantings! This can be a hard transition for beginning gardeners- the plants you've babied for months... now I'm telling you to pull them out?! Yes- they are not going to be producing much for you to eat, and they will instead put all of their energy into making flowers and then seeds. Chard leaves will still taste the same- so harvest them all before you pull that tall, sculptural stalk out of the garden, but lettuce usually becomes quite bitter. Plan to buy seeds or purchase 6-packs at a nursery or garden center (or even Rainbow grocery!). Often the 6-packs have many more plants than you might want, so share with your neighbors :)

Need an idea for what to do with all those greens? I made this soup with lots of chard, some kale and mustard greens and it's surprisingly delicious! You really need to carmelize the onions...
http://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/basic-green-soup

May
Beans (these can be difficult to grow in our climate)
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots (seeds only)
Cauliflower (long season)
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Parsnips (seeds only)
Pea
Radishes (seeds only)
Zucchini
Pumpkins (these take up a LOT of space)
Tomatoes (suggest only trying cherry tomatoes for any chance of ripening)

June

Beans (these can be difficult to grow in our climate)
Beets
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots (seeds only)
Cauliflower (long season)
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Parsnips (seeds only)
Pea
Radishes (seeds only)
Zucchini
Pumpkins - thru June 15 (these take up a LOT of space)
Tomatoes (suggest only trying cherry tomatoes for any chance of ripening)

A few ideas for a pea trellis

http://gardentherapy.ca/pea-trellis/




http://seattleseedling.com/2013/03/my-favorite-pea-trellis-yet/


http://squarefoot.creatingforum.com/t9884p15-what-kind-of-trellis-do-you-use-and-why

Veggie Seedlings at Farmer's Market

Get your garden going with veggie starts grown on Treasure Island by high school students! Students from Life Learning Academy are having a plant sale at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market this Saturday from 8-2.  The students have written an announcement, which is below and attached. They are offering special deals for other school or community garden programs.

  

Their booth is part of the Schoolyard to Market program, a project of CUESA and Urban Sprouts in which several SF public high school classes are growing food in their school gardens, visiting farms, learning about sustainability, and selling what they've grown at the market. There are 3 more sales days coming up at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market:

Saturday, April 27: Life Learning Academy with plant starts 

Saturday, May 11: June Jordan School for Equity with vegetables, herbs, and plant starts 

Saturday, May 18: John O'Connell High School with vegetables and herbs

  

Please come and support them! It is a great experience for the students to interact with supportive and friendly customers like you. The booth is open 8-2 on the Saturdays listed above, and will be located in the driveway on the south end of the Ferry Building (across from Roli Roti). Pass it on!

Warm wishes,

Julie

Julie Cummins

Director of Education

CUESA <http://www.cuesa.org>  (Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture)

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

415.291.3276 x106

E-letter <http://www.cuesa.org/page/subscribe>    | Twitter <https://twitter.com/#%21/CUESA>   | Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/CUESA> 

profusion of blooms

Just got back from 3 weeks away- amazing how much the gardens change in such a short time. I was really inspired seeing everyone's backyard gardens in Europe- fields of fava beans in Italy, backyard chickens, vineyards tucked into small corners, and bountiful farmer's markets! I was really missing my own garden- it's good to be home :)

apple blossoms at West Washington garden

red horse-chestnut flowers, Ft. Scott garden

pelargoniums and geraniums, Ft. Scott garden

Baker Beach Community planting day 3/30/13

A success!!!

My favorite tools and resources

With so many new gardeners, I wanted to publish a list of my favorite gardening tools and resources:
(sites with items for sale are not endorsed by me, and are for reference purposes only)

Atlas Nitrile Touch gloves- they come in candy colors! (or black if you want to be boring)
http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Garden-Gloves-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001BVG7JK/ref=pd_sbs_lg_1

Felco Pruners-several sizes, I like the #6 for my smaller hands
http://www.felcostore.com/pruners

Digging tool- here's a site with some reviews, I happen to agree!
http://www.northcoastgardening.com/2009/04/hori-horis-soil-knives-trowels-review/

• Hori-Hori          
• http://www.gemplers.com/product/139303/GrowTech-Hori-Hori-Digging-Tool
• Soil Scoop        
• http://www.groworganic.com/soil-scoop.html

Plant tie- you need something like this for your peas:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardener-s-Blue-Ribbon-Sturdy-Stretch-Plant-Tie-T007A/100662499

Gardening basket- What are you going to carry everything in? Don't forget to add a stash of plastic bags for your harvest! I got one of these as a gift years ago and just love it.
http://www.amazon.com/Overseas-Connection-G-159A-Market-Basket/dp/B000FRYCNO/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1364583266&sr=1-1&keywords=overseas+connection


Where we like to order seeds- heirloom, open source, organic etc.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds- you can visit them in Petaluma or  http://rareseeds.com/
Peaceful Valley   http://www.groworganic.com/
Bountiful Gardens http://www.bountifulgardens.org/

Golden Gate Gardening by Pam Peirce
http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781570616174

Baker Beach Community Gardens!

It's been a whirlwind two weeks getting 50 new garden boxes built, installed, filled with soil, and assigned to new garden members. At four locations in the Baker Beach neighborhood, garden boxes have sprouted and are ready for planting!

We’ll be in each of the new Baker Beach Gardens on Saturday 3/30 with veggie seedlings- lettuce, beets, spinach, peas, kale, cabbage, mustard greens, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, & chard.

• If you can’t come to your garden, you are welcome to stop by a different one and pick up seedlings- bring something to put them in.
• No need to RSVP- just stop by!
• Please leave all pots in your plot after you plant- we re-use pots at the Presidio Nursery.
• Peas will need a trellis to grow on.
• Extra seedlings will be left at each garden site for planting during the following week. All pots and plants will be picked up on Friday the 5^th in the morning.
• Don’t forget to visit the Presidio Residences main office to get your free lunch tickets!

 Here’s where we’ll be:

March 30^th seedling give away and planting help
Garden site #1 (near 1575 and 1590):

                10-11am

Garden site #2 (near 1553 and 1555):

                1-2pm

 Garden site #3: (near 1587):

                11-12:30pm

Garden site #4 (near 1591 and 1502):

                1-2pm 

 

Garden #1 (near 1575)

Part of Garden #2 (near 1553)

Garden #4 (near 1502)

Busy March

We've been busy sowing flats and transplanting seedlings to bring to all the gardens, plus getting ready for the construction of 50 new garden boxes in the Baker Beach neighborhood!

Just wanted to post a reminder that plot checks are happening on Friday March 15- make sure you've weeded your plot and planted something by then! This is the time to get spring veggies in the ground.

Check the calendar at the bottom of the posts to see when I'll be visiting your garden with seedlings and compost- also a great time to ask me questions or have your mystery plants identified.

Spring Planting Suggestions

Although it hasn't felt much like winter recently, we're now getting into prime planting season. Here are suggestions for what to plant for the next two months:

March

Artichoke, roots

Asparagus, roots

Fava beans (seeds)

Scarlet runner beans (seeds)

Beets (seed, transplants)

Broccoli (transplants)

Cabbage (transplants)

Carrot (seeds)

Cauliflower (transplants)

Collards (seeds)

Kale (transplants)

Kohlrabi (transplants)

Leek (seed, transplants)

Lettuce (seed, transplants)

Mustard (seeds)

Onion (seed, transplants)

Parsnip (seeds in mid-March)

Pea (seeds)

Potato (tubers)

Radish (seeds)

Spinach (seed, transplants)

Squash, summer (seeds in mid-March)

Swiss Chard (seed, transplants)

Turnip (seeds)

April

Fava beans (seeds)

Scarlet runner beans (seeds)

Beets (seed, transplants)

Broccoli (transplants)

Cabbage (transplants)

Carrot (seeds)

Cauliflower (transplants)

Collards (seeds)

Kale (transplants)

Kohlrabi (transplants)

Leek (seed, transplants)

Lettuce (seed, transplants)

Mustard (seeds)

Onion (seed, transplants)

Parsnip (seeds)

Pea (seeds)

Potato (tubers)

Radish (seeds)

Spinach (seed, transplants only first two weeks)

Squash, summer (seeds)

Squash, winter (seeds in mid-April)

Swiss Chard (seed, transplants)

Tomato (transplants)

Turnip (seeds)

Places to look for seeds and transplants:

Rainbow Grocery, Sloat Garden Centers, Green Jeans in Mill Valley, Three Bees on Clement, Bay Area Farmer's Markets, The Seed Bank in Petaluma

On-line

Peaceful Valley, Bountiful Gardens, Baker Creek Seeds

·         Saturday & Sunday, 4/21-4/22

·         10am-3pm

·         Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden

·         1800 Ignacio Blvd., Novato

·         Map

Join us at the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden located at College of Marin’s beautiful Indian Valley Campus in Novato for our Spring organic plant and produce sale. The following mini-workshops will be held during the plant sale: Planting the Main Season Garden taught by Farm Coordinator Amy Ridout on April 20 and Flowers, Fruits, Herbs: Enjoying the Beauty and Bounty of the Main Season Garden taught by Wendy Johnson on April 21.


Spring Garden Market Saturday, April 13, 2013, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Our biggest plant sale is held in early spring at History San Jose in Kelly Park, San Jose.  Plant sales start at 9 a.m. and the vendor fair and seminars take place through the afternoon.
We offer hard-to-find heirloom tomato varieties and many different types of chiles and peppers that we start from seed in January – along with other interesting vegetable, herb and ornamental plants – tens of thousands of plants all told. Dozens of vendors offer more plants for sale along with gardening supplies of all sort, and throughout the day you can attend talks on growing vegetables, preparing soils, waterwise plants, and more.  Master Gardeners at our Q&A table are on hand all day to answer any of your gardening questions.

Title: Spring Plant Sale
Location: Corner of Bay & High Streets, base of the UCSC campus, Santa Cruz
Description: The biggest and best collection of organically grown flower, herb and vegetable starts, perennials, grasses, and other landscape plants available in the region. Friends of the Farm & Garden receive 10% discount on plant purchases. For more information, contact 831.459-3240 or casfs@ucsc.edu.
http://casfs.ucsc.edu/community-outreach/calendar-of-events
Start Time: 10:00
Date: May 4 and 5 2013
End Time: 2:00

January plot checks

Just back from a sunny round of garden visits. It was so encouraging to see how many of you took time to visit your garden plot and get it cleaned up! Thanks to all of you whose gardens look ship-shape and ready for spring plantings. It's wonderful to see the gardens being loved after all the hard work of building them.

Our staff will be sowing seeds on Friday for the first round of seedling give-aways and Spring Gardening 101 on February 23 at the MacArthur Community Garden. Feel free to attend any of the classes, not just ones held at your garden. Also, if you can't wait until March for compost, send me a message and we'll try to get you some earlier. If enough people want it sooner, I can change delivery dates.

One of the fun things I saw in the garden today was a bit of a juxtaposition: frost on the ground and frozen soil and then farther along, narcissus and fuchsia flowering in profusion and blueberry bushes with flowers.See the photos from the Ft. Scott Garden!

frost in a garden plot

frozen soil

Blueberry flowers