Test PB Collection: FTE

Biennial monocot with prominent bulb, hollow cylindrical leaves, and an odor when bruised. Roots shallow, 12 to 18 inches. Has been used for food since very early times; it was eaten in Egypt before 3000 B.C. Also used as flavoring in nearly every current world culture. Botanically, there are three groups…

Fourteen varieties of cucumbers were compared for flavor and production. Stallion White and Japanese Climbing ranked top in flavor. Marketmore 76 was top in production.

Lettuce is generally considered a cool weather plant, grown in early spring or fall, although it can be grown in the warm season in most of the SF Bay Area by choosing varieties adapted to warmer weather. Check seed catalogs for summer lettuces.

When/how to plant: Late fall through winter, using 2 to 3 year old plants. Blueberries require acidic soil; a soil test will help determine how much to acidify your soil. Be sure the soil has a pH between 4.5 and 6.5. If it‘s a clay soil, use organic matter to amend the soil, preferably peat moss. Oregon…

Direct seed February to April, possibly May, or September Harvest when the roots reach 1-inch diameter at the top. Expect 90 to 120 days to maturity. Flavor is best when the mature plants are exposed to cool weather for 2 to 4 weeks which encourages the starches in the roots to convert to sugars. Loosen…

Peas are a cool season vegetable in Santa Clara County. There are three types of fresh peas: Shelling peas, where the tough pod is removed before eating. Snow peas, which have edible pods and are harvested flat, while the peas inside are small and immature. Sugar snap peas, which have edible pods and are…

The carrot study consisted of growing 14 varieties of carrots in three different soil textures and compositions. There were several objectives for the study: Determine the best germination method for planting seeds.

We compared 12 varieties of long beans, Vigna unguiculata, to determine which ones have the best production and the best flavor for growing here in Santa Clara County. Chinese Green Noodle was the most productive variety by far and was the favorite in the first tasting for its very tender, mild pods. Chinese…

Beets are a root crop with edible leaves. They grow well in the cool season, so are best planted in the fall or spring. Direct seed 4 to 6 inches apart in March to April or August to September; possibly in February, May, and October depending on weather and local conditions. Transplant 4 to 6 inches apart in…

Transplant: February to April, September to October (possibly November) Direct seed: March to April (possibly February), September to October (possibly November) If growing from seed for transplants, allow 4 weeks to be ready. Harvest spinach as soon as the leaves are large enough to use.