Gardening

Swiss chard, Beta vulgaris var. cicla, is a member of the beet family, but it has no storage root. It is grown for its leaves. It's easy to grow and produces for months. Swiss chard is a cool season crop best grown in cooler temperatures. It grows most all year in Marin's cooler climates. The large leaves…

Collards, Brassica oleracea var. viridis, are a cool season vegetable grown for their leaves. They do not form a head like cabbage.

Corn, Zea mays, is in the Poaceae family (Grass) and is technically a grain, considered a fruit, but also commonly categorized as a vegetable. It descended from a Mexican grass called teosinte. Corn is a warm season, fast growing, annual crop. It needs warmth, space, well-drained, rich soil, and generous…

Cucumbers, Cucumis sativus, are a warm season crop belonging to the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family. Produces cylindrical, tapered fruits used as vegetables. Originates from South Asia. Many varieties: slicing, pickling, burpless, seedless, English, Asian and Persian, Armenian and more. Trailing and bush…

Garlic, Allium sativum, is a vegetable food crop with a bulb, stem, and leaves. All parts of the plant are edible, and young plants are sometimes harvested for flavor and nutrition. At maturity, leaves are dry and the bulb is the prize. Native to Middle Asia, although different Allium varieties are found all…

Groundcherry, Physalis peruviana, is an easy care and prolific plant in the nightshade family. Produces small, round edible fruit in little paper lanterns similar to a tomatillo. Requires some space. Growing requirements are similar to tomatoes.

Kale, Brassica oleracea var. acephala, comes in edible and ornamental varieties. Ornamental or flowering kale is grown for decorative leaves. Edible, or salad, kale is a super nutritious, cool-season, fast-growing relative of cabbage that is eaten raw or cooked. Within each type there are many sizes, shapes,…