Garden Updates: January 17, 2012

Spring is just around the corner and we have a NEW raised bed!!! This is the 5th bed that has been completed in the expanded 20x20 area. We're thinking of growing some Burdock here since the soil is very soft because it was double dug.

Here I planted some Peas and Pole Beans. The reason why we did both: Mom thought that since the weather is so erratic, we should try to do both types in one bed, one that is heat tolerant (pole beans) and one that is cold tolerant (Peas). Then, if the weather leans to one way or another, we'd have something growing instead of nothing (in case of a crop failure from either too hot or too cold). I said, "What the heck, let's give it a try". We're always experimenting with things, to learn what works and doesn't work. Last week was hot, now this week has been cold and we had a bit of rain.

Mitsuba grown from last year's seed. It's self sown, see the larger Mitsuba on the left side (the pot is barely in the pic) That's the parent plant and it dropped it's seeds on the pot centered here.

Daikon Radish on the side of the Broccoli plants are starting to mature

Found a chrysalis on the broccoli leaf! I snagged the leaf and took it indoors and placed it in an aerated jar, as a Biology instructional tool for homeschool!

Loquat blossoms, it's really early this year

Kumquats just about ready

The "Chard that won't quit", Daikon Radishes and some Spanish Black Radish in the pots

Garden Work/Seed Planting & Tips on rooting Basil from the Grocery Store

Yesterday I planted "Salada Musume" Gobo (牛蒡 or ごぼう, burdock) seeds. They are a short variety and don't get as long as the normal burdock which can get as long as 4'!  They were planted in the back area of the pond bed. That area was *supposed* to grow Echinacea, but all but one plant failed to grow!  I never seem to have luck with Echinacea...  We purchase supplements from our Nutritionist and thought how great it would be to grow our own, but alas we've failed once again. Sigh....  I'll keep trying though. Does anyone have any tips besides placing it in the fridge in moist potting soil for 4~6 weeks?

Today, I started trimming the Loquat tree. It's hard work to trim trees and I run out of steam quickly, so I'll be doing in over the next few days.  We've decided to cut the branches far back so we can keep the tree small and the fruit accessible.  I transplanted a few bulb onion seedlings to the carrot bed, I don't know how they'll do, I know Anne and Kathy commented that I should be starting my seeds in Dec, but I'm learning as I go.  They *may* be ready to bulb next year. I also planted Four Seasons Lettuce in a few gallon sized pots and placed them on our seedling rack which has been moved to the shade for the hot summer months.

I also planted a few Comfrey seeds under the fig tree (yes, they can be invasive) but they are said to be excellent compost/mulch makers since they draw up minerals from deep within the soil. I want to use it as a slash and mulch plant. It's a vigorous grower from what I read and it can be slashed to be used as mulch and will grow back quickly where you can get 3 "harvests" of mulch in a season. Why under the Fig? Our fig, (we think it's a dwarf strain of Brown Turkey) has a very shallow root system, and we thought it can benefit from the deep rooted Comfrey's ability to draw up the minerals from beneath. The fig tree roots are so shallow, we can't plant anything there unless we seed it directly. Comfrey can be used medicinally, it's alternate name is "Knitbone" as it has potent ability to hasten wound healing, but there's a warning to those with liver problems to stay away from it.

We have some yellow 4 o'clocks planted there under the fig tree also (yes, they can be super invasive as well!) as they have very tap root systems.  My Mom dreads that I have brought home the seeds from one of my walks around the neighborhood, because they are so prolific.  4 o'clocks bring back childhood memories of wild ones growing right by my house across the street in Japan.  They were hot pink or yellow or streaky ones with with both hot pink and yellow. The young leaves can be boiled and eaten, but only in emergencies (It's just not yummy).

I  planted Mexican Coriander (Culantro), Dill and Cumin. All these are part of the Carrot Family (Apiaceae). I plant seeds, yet sometimes I'm caught trying to figure out WHERE I'm going to grow these plants once the seedlings are large enough.

I planted 2 pots of Asparagus Pea just to try. Supposedly they grow fine in the heat. I've also planted Spilanthes which is a creeping ground cover that is supposed to have benefits to the immune system and is called the "Toothache plant".  I seeded a few Purple Orach as well in small pots to start them, and will prick them out as they grow.

Tomorrow I will plant the Blue Basil cuttings since they have rooted only from letting the cuttings sit by a  bright window sill in a cup of water.  Try this next time with Sweet Basil too! If you don't have any Basil already, this is a FAST way to get a new plant going, and you'll get to use most of the basil leaves before you do it so you're getting food and a few plants!

1) Purchase some Organic Basil in the herb section of the fresh produce area inside)
2) For each sprig of Basil herb, take off the larger leaves and side shoots. You can use this for your culinary purposes. Leave only the top  3~4 leaves (they will be small; just be coming out of the tip) 3)Keep them in a clean glass of water by a bright window and in a week or 2 you'll have roots growing from them.
4)Once they have roots, you can transplant them into pots and harden them off for a few days and you're ready to plant them outside if it's warm enough.
This is a great way to multiply your plants quickly, as growing them from seed can be frustrating as they do take some time to grow and are susceptible to slugs.

Garden Updates

Yes, that's Mom climbing the Guava tree... she's 63 and still climbing trees!

 Climbing trees must be in the genes. Can you find a face in the Orange Tree?

 Finally! A bed goes into the newly opened 20'x20' area.  We planted some Cucumbers, Zucchinis, Pumpkin, Lettuce and direct-seeded some Okra.

 The Brassica bed sprouted! There's Daikon Radish, regular cherry red Radishes, Broccoli, Bok Choi, Yu Choi, and Komatsuna.  All have different harvesting rates. The regular Radishes and Komatsuna will be harvested first, then the Bok Choi and Yu Choi, then the Daikon and finally the Broccoli.  If all works out well.  ;-)

 Carrot bed is lush and growing fast!

 The potted strawberries are going crazy. The front garden berries were about 2 weeks later than the backyard ones.

Green Grapes have flower buds!

  In the foreground is the Celery, Parsley and Cilantro bed. In front of the raised bed are a bunch of Rainbow Chard growing in small pots.  Behind it in center is the Edible Chrysanthemum, on the left side, the low growth is day-lily which is also edible (greens and flowers). The Fig tree has filled in nicely behind the lower plants, and on the right is the Kumquat tree. Between the fig and kumquat against the wall is a volunteer Roma Tomato bush. This is in an area that is about 12' square.

Broad beans getting thicker.

 The volunteer Roma Tomato decided to sprout by the warm wall and has survived winter

 Kumquats glowing in the sunlight

 Off limits! We put a fence around this little bed to keep the animals out.  I also put lots of sticks in the ground to discourage the cats from using it as their litter box. (it works!) I'm trying to sprout Echinacea. Always have a tough time with those seeds, even though I give them plenty of chill time in the fridge to mimic a cold winter.

Beautiful Sage flowering

 Cream California Poppies

 Myoga (Japanese Ginger) under the White Guava tree enjoying the morning sun.

Got more seeds~!  The unusual seeds I'm trying NEW this year are the Yard Long Oriental Wonder Beans, Short Burdock root called "Salada Musume" and Toraji (Balloon Flower) Which the roots are eaten in Korea and China. I'm always on a lookout for beautiful plants that also serve an edible purpouse, so I love the Balloon Flower!

 I'm also excited that I found Lupini Beans! Here they're soaking for a few days. Lupinis are eaten in the Mediterranean regions as a snack with beer. I'm not really a big beer drinker, but no matter.  They have pretty white flowers AND fix nitrogen into the soil AND they produce an edible bean! What more can you want?  They DO need soaking with several changes of water to ensure that the alkaloids(toxins) are leached out. Changing the water after boiling them is important too. Yes, tedious crop, but great Front Garden "ninja" style plant that looks pretty but does something besides just that.  They are related to the wild Lupines here in CA.

 Trying to grow "slips" from Sweet Potato tips.

More Seed Starting

Today was one of the windiest days EVER here in Southern California!

The Sun was out, but boy it was cold! I wanted to plant more seeds but the weather just didn't allow me to be comfortable!

Yesterday, I started new seed pots:

• Echinacea Purpurea- I always fail on these seeds, even if I follow the directions on the package!
• Baby's Breath- light and tiny white flowers accent the bold flowers, cute!
• Papaya tree- I heard there are male and female trees for these. I guess I have to wait and see.
• Passion Fruit vine- I bought the fruit at a Farmer's Market almost a year ago, it was very fragrant and delish
• Elephant Head Amaranth-pretty magenta large flower with edible leaves. (eat them like spinach)
• Raspberry- I just took the seeds out of a berry and dried them last summer, I hope this works
• Okra- I saved seed from 2 seasons ago, I didn't plant them last year and I missed having them

I also planted Corn and Pole Beans in with my Cucurbits. I hope they sprout and grow tall enough before the zucchinis take over!

Planted potatoes!

These are the seed potatoes we planted today. The quarter shows how small these are! I hope they aren't too small that they won't produce enough. It's all a learning process. These seed potatoes were saved from the harvest in early spring, and kept in the plastic bag in the fridge. Let's see if they do well.

Garden Updates

Here's a few shots of the seed starting shelves

yes, I know... it's styrofoam egg cartons... bad for the environment, but at least I used it for more than holding eggs.

The Garden beds coming along... only problem... actually quite a set back, the compost we purchased from a local rock/soil place put shredded wood that's been painted, and particle board, and composit wood chunks in it. There's pieces of plastic and glass in it as well... We mixed it all into the soil already on 3 beds before we realized this... sigh. So, the rest we'll do it the way we've been so far, buying Organic Compost from Home Depot.

Planting time!

Today I went planting-happy with the seeds. I planted Bell Peppers, Okra, Cilantro, Basil and lots of Awahia Onions. I'll post pics tomorrow.

Accidental Heritage

I recieved my new packet of short-day bulbing onions from the University of Hawaii. I've discovered these are rare Heritage seeds!

The Seeds of Diversity, Heritage Plants Database says,

Awahia Onion
Seed Availability:
STATUS:Rare
DISTRIBUTION:Poor
Not currently propagated by Seeds of Diversity's seed-savers.
Available from only a few mail-order seed companies. Very difficult to find.
Not maintained by the Canadian gene bank.
Maintained by the U.S. gene bank.

I'm proud to have these seeds. I hope I am able to keep this line of Awahia onions going. I want to save it's seed for next season. I hope I can do it successfully.

Garden Updates

This strawberry looks deficient. The leaves are yellowing. Does anyone know what it might need? I added some fresh compost mixed with well aged manure about 3 weeks ago. Maybe it's time for more?

Fig tree is in full-swing leaf production

Our brassicas: Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Komatsuna & Radishes

Seedling nursery: Roma Tomotoes, Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Peppers, Basil, Green Beans, Violas, Kabocha Pumpkins, Petit Gris Melons, Sweet Alyssum, and more I can't recall right now.

More Trees and Shrubs

They won't be here until Spring, but I have purchased a dwarf Mulberry tree, cherry tree, 2 Elderberry trees, 2 Paw Paw trees and a few more strawberry plants. I know have a huge undertaking of digging out the bushes in the front yard and preparing the soil for all the coming plants. This is very exciting, yet daunting. It's serious stuff now! I'll need to bring in a large truckload of compost to amend our hard compacted clay dirt.

I planted lots of seeds this past week, in used plastic cups: broccoli, jicama, okra, zucchini, carrots, radishes, cabbage, borage(flower), violets(edible flower), nasturtiums, soy, shungiku(japanese crysanthemum variety), and hairy vetch(cover crop)

We donated most of the yellow irises and amended the soil there to plant the cabbage once they are larger. The Blueberry bush is happy in it's new bucket and is profusely growing new leaves! Maybe next year it will be happy enough to give us a few berries. Blackberry bush that I've neglected is actually fruiting very well. Our orange tree is just about ready with tons of fruit. If anyone local wants to barter for some oranges, we'd love some of your fresh fruit! The first batch of radishes are just about ready, and the spinach may be ready for picking in a week. I'll have to start some new seeds for that soon!