Growing a garden isn’t rocket science, but it is a body of knowledge that comes partly from studying up, but also from trial and error, observation and participation. Part of what our Sierra Gardens program does is help take some of the guesswork out of growing fresh, organic vegetables at home. One of the ways we do this is by providing the right starts and seeds for each season. Continue reading “Spring Plant Varieties: What’s in a Name?”
These are strange times to find ourselves in, and I hope that you all are staying home as much as you can, and staying as safe as you can be. Crises such as these present opportunities at the same time as they threaten security, and there is definitely no better time to put work into your home garden than the present moment. From food security to psychological well-being, a home garden can offer some bit of stability in these increasingly uncertain times. With that being said, we are gearing up to get started on our spring plant deliveries, and have compiled this planting guide to help you along once you receive your spring starts and seeds.
Winter is a nice time to just let your garden go unattended for a bit. Hopefully you tucked your garden in last fall, mulched and/or cover cropped, and planted fall Brassicas and garlic.
Now is the time to start to prepare your beds for your first spring planting. Most of those Brassicas have probably been harvested and eaten, and your garlic is hopefully growing tall and loving this mild winter. Leave that garlic alone…it needs to stay in the ground for another 4 or 5 months.
The Brassicas are a plant genus that includes crops such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussell sprouts, turnips, mustard greens, cauliflower, pak choi, rutabagas, etc. The Brassicas always comprise much of your first spring plant delivery, as they do much of the fall plant delivery, and they are tasty and good for you, so here are some tips for how to maximize your harvest!
We plant Brassicas in the fall and the early spring b/c they thrive in cooler temps and can withstand very cold temperatures, which actually make them sweeter! Most brassicas will tend to bolt (go to flower then seed) in warmer temps, or if they are stressed because of not enough water, or being held too long in little pots (rootbound).
Amanda here reporting from the (hopefully) tail end of the last big spring storm. I almost forgot what it’s like to see the gorgeous sunshine, but no doubt it will be hot and dry sooner than we know it!
With this weird spring, you may have not gotten all your planting done in a timely manner- but fear not! There’s still time to plant seeds for your summer garden. And if you haven’t gotten in your Solanacea/Nightshade Family (tomatoes, peppers etc) now is the time! (Note- it’s too late to start these crops from seed).
Generally for the summer garden, I think of the solstice (mid June) as the hard end to summer crop planting. Then in July/August it’s time to think about seeding for fall/winter gardens.
Oh buddy- it’s spring time and after a never ending winter it’s finally time to get planting! Yes!! Amanda here, ready to share one of my favorite indulgences- local plant sales. Some ladies like to buy a new pair of shoes- and me? I like to buy plants that I probably don’t need. To each their own. Shoes are nice too.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
I’ve always loved the above quote and find it particularly apt at the dawn of a new year. Of course, it’s not just about trees but about anything you want to start doing. It’s never too late to do the thing, whatever it is. Really.
Continue reading “Take the longview in 2019- plant a fruit tree!”