With the holidays over, and some
pretty nice temps, we can’t wait to get back to ‘work’ in the garden! While
gardeners on the East Coast and in the Midwest may be busy trying to dig out of
the snow and just dreaming of spring planting while looking at seed catalogs or
online, gardeners here can still be actively enjoying their gardens. Besides the usual garden cleanup - leaves to
rake, pruning and dormant spraying of trees and bushes, gardeners on the
Central Coast can still enjoy planting cool season crops. Many people think nothing much can be planted
in what seems to be the dead of winter, but there are a surprising number of
things that can be put in the ground this time of year besides the usual bare
root roses.
In the vegetable garden, we can
plant asparagus, globe artichokes and rhubarb from roots and broccoli, cabbage
and cauliflower from transplants, if you can find them in a nursery or garden
center. Unfortunately the selection of
vegetable plants available at local outlets is limited, so you might consider
starting your own transplants from seed next year or get a head start on spring
planting this year. Carrots, kohlrabi,
lettuce, parsley, peas, radishes and turnips can all be planted from seed. Yes, I did say lettuce, which will tolerate
some frost and can be grown all winter long in our area. Think of fresh lettuce from your own garden,
tender and sweet, not that stuff from the grocery store. Leaf lettuce is the best bet, and most
rewarding. Did you know that head
lettuce (aka Iceberg) was developed in the 1890's? Iceberg became successful because its firm,
round shape and long shelf life made it good for shipping long distances – for
the first time people could have lettuce for salads the year around, not just
summer. The downside is that head
lettuce just doesn't have the flavor of leaf lettuce, which tastes best when
fresh. Our favorite is a Bibb variety
called Tom Thumb which produces sweet and tender miniature heads perfect an
individual salad. Just add a little
dressing and enjoy!
A word about compost -
When planting, always add compost to your soil. It is the best investment you can make in
your garden and an essential step in garden preparation. Compost adds organic
matter to your soil, increases water holding capacity, adds nutrients and
improves soil health. If you are
preparing a garden bed, apply a layer of 2 to 4 inches of compost and work it
into the soil before planting. For
planting bare root shrubs or trees (rose bushes, fruit trees, berries, etc.)
add compost to the soil as you refill the hole in which you are plating
them. Add compost and watch your garden
grow!
For all the details, visit Harvest Blend Compost or email info@harvestblendcompost.com
