Wordless Wednesday Harvest
The harvest needs washing right away. It took about an hour to process this batch. We soak lettuces and other greens, rinse off roots, and trim stems from brassicas and roots. The chickens get some of it, we get the rest.

Wordless Wednesday: Winter Garden Harvest

Continue ReadingWordless Wednesday: Winter Garden Harvest

The beauty of a fall or winter garden is that it grows almost without care. Cooler temperatures and rain lend themselves to a stress-free garden. There are virtually no bugs, you don't have to water as often, and some veggies (brassicas and root crops in particular) become sweeter with a frost. True, they do need protection from cold snaps in cooler climates. But now we reap the benefits of a winter garden--it's harvest time! If it's too cold for a…

Read more about the article When to Harvest Broccoli?
Rosalind broccoli ready to harvest

When to Harvest Broccoli?

Continue ReadingWhen to Harvest Broccoli?

I get this question all the time: how do you know when broccoli is ready to harvest? The answer is in your fingertips. You can tell when to harvest broccoli by touching the head, or bud (that's what broccoli is, a cluster of flower buds), and squeezing. If the head is firm and tight, and about the diameter that is expected for the variety you've grown, it's ready to pick. If the head gives when you squeeze it, or there…

Read more about the article Winter’s Bounty: Harvesting Colors in Warm-Winter Climates
All-blue, russet and red potatoes are jewels from the garden.

Winter’s Bounty: Harvesting Colors in Warm-Winter Climates

Continue ReadingWinter’s Bounty: Harvesting Colors in Warm-Winter Climates

As much of the country is covered with snow, or too soggy to start spring gardening, the warm-winter gardener is reaping the blessings of mild temperatures. Winter's bounty is a basket of root crops, greens and peas. Take a look at what we're harvesting from this season's Test Garden (p.s. we're not bragging. There  have been plenty of failures due to drought conditions and heat waves, but these pictures are too colorful not to share). Our kale may be full…

Read more about the article Late-Fall Garden Happenings
Greens and roots make a big show in winter gardens

Late-Fall Garden Happenings

Continue ReadingLate-Fall Garden Happenings

Half the country may be covered with snow, but the Gardenerd Test Garden is going strong here in Southern California. Don't think of it as bragging; think of it as a beacon to spring plantings to come. This Saturday marks the first day of winter, but it also means the days will get a little longer each day--a step closer to spring as each day passes. How nice for you...what can I do now? This is the time to spray…

Changing of the Guard: Exit Winter, Enter Spring

Continue ReadingChanging of the Guard: Exit Winter, Enter Spring

Spring is just around the corner, and those who can grow fall crops are just starting to swap out winter's harvest for spring seedlings. Here's what we're harvesting this time of year: Lettuces Broccoli Romanesco Cavolo Broccolo a Getti di Napoli - Spigarello to many of you Spinach Arugula Kale Peas Root veggies - carrots, parsnips, beets, etc. There are a few nibbles here and there on lettuce leaves, and more aphids than we'd care to admit, but that's just…

End of content

No more pages to load