- Author: Cheryl A Potts
Those of us of a certain, vague age know--really know--time speeds up as we mature. Another birthday, already!? Christmas shopping, already!? I just put my fall/Halloween decorations away, and it is time to plan my family Easter dinner, dye eggs, and place those cute bunnies in appropriate places throughout the garden, already!?
So we arrive home after a week of summer RV camping and the garden is overflowing with zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and chard; but what is in my mailbox? Seed catalogs telling me it is time to start my fall/winter garden. Already!?
My bell peppers are just coming in, but I am being told it is time to plant broccoli. A ton of chard is available in my garden, but I am being told to get those kale seeds in the ground, not to mention twelve varieties of lettuce. Apparently, I need to get beets in the ground where my egg plant is just getting ready to hatch.
When does a veggie gardener rest? When can I just take a break from planting, picking, watering, mulching, composting, planning, pruning?
At the beginning of every spring, looking forward I say, "no winter garden this year. Let's take a break". Every fall, still looking forward, I say, "no summer garden this year. Let's take a break". My husband just looks at me, smiles, and says, "Give me a break."
So which garlic should I plant this winter?
- Author: Kathy Thomas-Rico
On a recent walk, I noticed the confirmation of winter’s arrival in the lack of color in the neighborhood landscapes. Green and gray dominate this time of year. But then I really opened my eyes and noticed the reds, berries mostly. Nandinas, toyons, Malus, Ilex, cotoneasters, firethorn (Pyracantha), asparagus ferns … the list goes on. All are laden with bright red berries in the midst of winter. What a treat for the eyes, and the birds, and the squirrels!
As to the forethought of the gardeners who planted these lovely shrubs and trees: Kudos. I have realized I’m a spur-of-the-moment landscape planner — a nonplanner, really. I don’t often, if ever, think about how a plant will look in the depth of winter, or the dog days of summer. Consequently, my garden looks rode-hard and put away wet in January and August.
After my eye-opening walk through my Zone 9, northwest Vacaville neighborhood, I may have to rethink my gardening strategy. Or at least come up with a strategy. I see a future with some red-berried shrubs. They make winter so much brighter.
- Author: Sharon L. Rico
Usually this time of year is cold, wet and dreary. Being indoor bound, one does not appreciate what’s happening outdoors. In years past being indoor bound, my free time was spent reading the seed and plant catalogs that arrived in the fall, and planning a spring garden. Not so this year! With most days in the 60's and a few in the 70's, the garden beckons. I am not one to begin chopping down the plants that have frost bite, there are other garden chores to enjoy instead. Plants that are bulging out of their containers can be transplanted to larger pots. Thinning the clumps of callas and wild wood violets is an ongoing project. Moving statuary and garden art to enhance plans for staging the garden this year is another sunny day project. Spending this time outdoors has brought awareness of the surrounding colors. Everything seems to be blooming more abundantly (for February). The bright white calla spathes are unfolding, as I write. The daphne (Thymelaeaceae), with its tiny clustered pink bells, perfumes our shade garden. Camellias (Theaceae), are either in full bloom or covered with swollen buds. One camellia, named ‘Pink Perfection’, is covered in light pink blooms from top to bottom. Azaleas bloom along the shady walkway and in containers. The hardenbergias purple sweet pea-looking blooms, cascade over the wine barrel that has been its home for 20 years. Bright yellow primroses (Primulaceae), bloom at the base of the Rose of Sharon tree (Hibiscus syriacus), and yellow daffodils are opening up in containers and along the driveway. The Lisbon lemon tree has bright yellow lemons glowing from its lower branches, resembling a lopsided Christmas tree. The yellow oxalis flowers are poking up through the celery and among the sweet peas. Native to our garden, I suspect the oxalis has been growing here since 1930. Hanging baskets of red, white and pink cyclamen (Primulaceae) brighten the front porch and side yard. Blue wood violets show up everywhere, including in the middle of the lawn. In the next month or so, the tulips will bloom, followed by roses, sweet peas and iris, adding additional color to the garden. Winter’s sunshine is the time to enjoy being outdoors this year and we’re doing it!
- Author: Georgia Luiz
Ever since I moved to California, I've been privy to a late winter treat that I've never had before. Amidst the cast away debris of winter, some plants perform so beautifully, that they are sorely missed later on even when everything else is in full bloom.
In my garden, the green lush fragrant rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) explodes in periwinkle flowers. The happy wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea) vine blooms profusely with tiny sweet pea shaped lavender flowers. Even the lilac bushes put on a show stopping magenta array to sniff at. There's shy little piles of violets and primroses, cyclamen, and some budding roses, who are probably just confused.
They're just what I need to get motivated after hibernation.
- Author: Cheryl A Potts
I absolutely love having a winter vegetable garden--wonderfully easy to grow greens such a great variety of lettuces, kale, cabbage, and broccoli. I and my new puppy, Katie, go out early each morning and pick fresh veggies for my husband's green smoothie, as well as clipped leaves for his take-to-work salad. I greet the day, she attacks the borecole (kale) with delightful vigor, and my husband eats very well.
I start my plants from seed inside the garage in the fall under a grow light using small pots. These same seeds could be started indoors under a window that gets bright sun most of the day. When the plants are 4-5 inches tall, I begin to harden them off (leaving them outside for several hours each day for about a week, enabling them to adjust to the outdoors). Then out into my raised beds they go. As the plants are young and fresh, I make sure I use snail bait*, as I am not willing to share.
One of the primary benefits I have always touted is the absents of needing to water a winter garden. We can actually go away in our RV and not worry about the soil drying out and the garden dying--UNTIL THIS YEAR! Oh my, where is winter? I just does not seem fair. Mother Nature does not play by the rules. She makes them up as she goes along. Therefore, Katie and I now need to spend time watering instead of chasing balls and we have had to postpone her first RV trip. Additionally I must remember to cover the raised beds at night when temperatures are predicted to drop below freezing. Old sheets work well for this task.
The weather report seems to never change, and I have found myself cringing when I hear someone talk about what a beautiful day it is today-- again. Winter! Please get here before spring.
*note: use the snail bait with Iron Phosphate as the active ingredient as it is safe around pets and children. Baits with Metaldehyde are very poisonous and should be avoided!