Russian River Citrus

Spring arrives with richly fragrant blooms, my favorite being the citrus. Citrus trees uniquely bloom all year, but the rainy season inhibits the scent from traveling very far, if at all. I love bringing my dwarf citrus tree into my greenhouse to enjoy its scent during the winter. While I know a lot about growing and caring for citrus, I didn’t know why our climate was conducive to these varieties. Despite our foggy mornings and cold spells, I see citrus trees heavy with fruit all along River Road. Wouldn’t the trees prefer a hotter, more tropical climate?  

Oddly, the answer is no. Watching the Florida orange juice commercials as a kid made me believe all the best citrus was grown there, when citrus actually thrives in a Mediterranean-style climate. The fruit naturally contains both sugars and acids. The warm days of summer allow steady sugar buildup, and cool nights slow the sugar consumption and balance the acidity. This contrast produces ideal conditions for fruit to ripen slowly and develop more complex flavors.  

In hot climates, the fruit ripens too quickly, leaving no time to adequately sweeten. The lack of cool nights leads to low-acid and one-dimensional flavor. Conversely, our gloriously cool nights slow down sugar production and help retain acidity, providing that ideal sweet-tart balance. It’s the same reason why our region is famous for wine. There’s an actual science behind balancing sugars and acids, but I was surprised to find it applied to citrus.

Even better, winter coincides with our rainy season, so the fruit receives steady moisture for healthy growth. Most varieties are also cold tolerant, so they can withstand the light frost our area experiences a few times throughout the season.  

Another interesting observation is that the skin of my citrus has always been thick and less juicy inside. When I buy citrus, it’s often the opposite: juicy and thin-skinned. I thought I was doing something wrong, but I found out that there’s a reason why they can pop a straw into a Florida orange and drink the juice. The Florida climate provides consistent rainfall and humidity, which keeps the citrus trees evenly hydrated. Our dry summer climate provides less consistency with moisture and leads to drier and thick-skinned fruits. Basically, our climate produces citrus perfect for snacking that will transport well, and Florida produces fruit for juicing.  

Now that you know how citrus develops flavor, we will investigate caring for our trees in next month’s article. I find their pests can be challenging to manage (scale!), and their nutrient needs are heavy, so it’s worth taking the time to discuss. 

In the meantime, does anyone know where some of the best citrus in the world is grown? If you have a guess, without consulting your friend Google, email me. The first two people to answer correctly will receive a selection of seeds saved from my garden. I’ll announce the answer and the winners in the May issue, where I’ll continue our conversation on citrus. Happy gardening!

Companion Planting

For me, March heralds the official start of Spring and the insatiable desire to plant anything and everything. Now is not the time to be fooled by warm spells because we could still experience a late frost. Patience is the key, and while I wait to plant warm-weather veggies, it's a good time to start thinking about my summer garden layout. 

To maintain soil balance and dissuade pests from returning to the same location, it's a good idea to rotate your crops. Following companion planting suggestions is one way to help you get some ideas for mixing it up. 

So, what is companion planting? It's where different plants are grown together to support each other's needs. I like to say it's the plant world's definition of "friends with benefits".

Years ago, I found the book Carrots Love Tomatoes by Louise Riotte, and I dove headlong into her insight and planting suggestions. By consciously grouping plants, my garden transformed into a healthy ecosystem. I didn't have the same pest troubles, and my plants thrived. One of my many discoveries involved the use of Borage. Growing up, I remember it from my mom's herb garden with its bright, shooting star-like flowers. It has been in nearly every garden I've grown, but not amongst my veggies. It took me years to realize the benefits of growing flowers, herbs, and veggies together. Now, I have dozens of borage plants all over my garden. It attracts both pollinators and insects that will prey on common garden pests. Combined with its ability to readily self-sow, you can see why it's a must-have in any garden. Paired with strawberries, it improves the soil's minerals, boosting the berries' flavor.  

Another great companion to nearly everything is onions. They don't require much room, and their smell is a natural pest and bird deterrent. I grow them in between almost all my plants.  Kale and broccoli, with their shallow roots, work well amongst potatoes; calendula's sticky stems help keep aphids off brassicas; nasturtiums attract hummingbirds and act as a ground cover, and the list goes on. Once you "dig in" to the world of companion planting, you'll find many helpful combinations to help you maintain a more balanced garden. While learning helpful combos, I printed and laminated a companion planting chart and placed it in my garden with my tools. When planting, I'd reference it, and soon I learned what worked and didn't work well together.  I discovered many combos that have proven themselves over the years.  A bed with strawberries, spinach, onions, and borage grows year-round in my garden.  I also grow various basil plants amongst my shishito and padrone peppers because they provide a buffer against cool evening temperatures.  Start to get creative with how you view your garden and think of ways to arrange your plants to benefit each other.  

Also, remember that there is conflicting advice on companion planting, so go with your instincts and experiment to find what works in your garden.  Let me know if you happen upon a new combo that your garden can't live without.  

Happy Gardening!

Growing Strong Seedlings

If you're like me and spent early January shopping seed catalogs, it's time to decide when and how you will start those seeds. I've been sowing seeds for over 15 years, and through trial and a lot of error, I've come up with some helpful tips for growing strong starts.  

1.        Evaluate your light source. Find a south-facing window with 6-8 hours of sun daily, or invest in a grow light. I have received many seed-starting questions, often accompanied by pictures. I can almost guarantee the picture will contain leggy or yellow-leafed seedlings. "Leggy" is a term used to describe seedlings reaching with all their might to find an adequate light source, while yellow leaves indicate poor photosynthesis. It's critical to determine the light source first and not waste time sowing starts that you'll eventually throw on the compost pile.

2.        Consider the container. If you see yourself sowing seeds more than once, it's worth buying plug trays. You can get a five-pack of trays, complete with plastic domes to hold in moisture, for around $20 on Amazon. Each tray holds 40 seedlings, and as the seedlings grow, you can easily pop them out and place them in larger recycled cups. An alternative to plug trays and for small batches is cardboard egg cartons.  

3.        Start in quality soil. To create a light and airy mix that holds moisture, I mix equal parts coco coir (now sold on Amazon), vermiculite, and perlite. Buying a bag of seed starter mix or only a brick of coco coir will be more cost-effective if you're seeding only a flat or two. For potting up, my go-to is Black Gold organic potting soil. It's less expensive than other brands but has nutrients and a lighter texture.  

4.        Timing is everything. You don't want to be babying seedlings for months because you planted them too early, and the weather isn't cooperating to plant them outdoors. Each seed packet will have information on start times, and you can visit www.igrowsonoma.org to see growing charts for our climate.

5.        Always acclimatize. About 7-10 days before transplanting your starts, begin to acclimate them to the outdoors. Start by placing them in a shady, protected area for 1-2 hours. Slowly increase their time outdoors and sun exposure, allowing plants to handle 6-8 hours in direct sunlight.  

6.        Transplant time. Remember that cooler temperatures slow growth rates, so don't rush to plant. Monitor the weather and pick a week with an agreeable forecast. When your seedlings are ready to be planted in the ground, I recommend putting a tablespoon of balanced organic fertilizer at the bottom of each hole to ensure a strong start.  

 It's so rewarding to plant a seed, wait for it to sprout, and watch it grow into a thriving plant. Seed starting is a passion of mine, so much so that I invested in a greenhouse. I love the freedom to grow any variety I want of not just veggies but also flowers.   I could easily write pages on each step outlined above, so if you're looking for more detailed advice or have questions, I'm easily reached via email. 

Happy Gardening!

Winter Kale Soup Recipe

The arrival of a new year usually brings the shock that we’re down another year.  2025? Wasn’t it just Y2K?  But it also brings the anticipation of spring gardening.   The rains provide the time inside to peruse my much-anticipated seed catalogs and daydream about what I will grow in the upcoming season.  It also reminds me that I have plenty of winter greens to use, and I need fresh preparation ideas, specifically for all of my Kale.  I often have an overflow of kale because it readily self-sows and thrives in cool weather.  The leaves are crispier and sweeter and lack the aphids frequently present in summer months.    I mentioned last month that I look forward to my family’s favorite Kale Soup, so I figured I must share my recipe. This soup is a Filipino twist on a Portuguese staple called Caldo Verde. Typically a Linquica Kale Soup, you can adapt this recipe with your preferred protein, such as chicken, Italian sausage, or tofu if you are vegetarian.  Make it yours, and enjoy using fresh ingredients from your winter garden.  Happy Cooking!

                               Filipino Style Kale Soup

CATEGORY:  SOUP

PREP. TIME:  20 Minutes

COOK TIME:  45 Min

SERVINGS: 10 

INGREDIENTS:

⅓ Cup Coconut Oil

Large Yellow Onion (diced)

3 Tbs. Garlic

1.5 Lbs Protein Linquica or Chorizo 

2 lbs Kale (chopped with stems removed)

5 Cups Coconut Milk

5 Cups Chicken Stock

2 Tbls Soy Sauce

Pepper to taste 

Optional: Add 2lbs of peeled potatoes cut into ½ in slices.

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion in oil until translucent (5 min).  Add garlic and saute until fragrant.  Next, add your protein and saute for around 3-5 minutes.  Stir in chopped kale and cook until wilted.  Add the coconut milk, chicken stock, soy sauce, and pepper to taste.  Bring to a boil and simmer.  If adding potatoes, simmer until they start falling apart (30 min).  Mash some potatoes for a thicker texture.  

The longer the soup sits, the better it tastes.  It can also be paired with crusty bread for dipping.  It makes excellent leftovers and does well frozen.

Thanksgiving 2024

November often brings unpredictable weather and thus heralds the start of winter gardening.  I followed my advice this year and started cleaning garden beds during our gloriously sunny September afternoons.  I worked hard to pull out plants after collecting the seeds.  I sprinkled some for a winter crop and stashed some for spring, so I feel ahead.  I have the time to gather all my pumpkins and prepare them for carving and decorating without feeling rushed.

I specifically planted my pumpkins in mid-June to time my harvest closer to Thanksgiving.  While many carve Jack-o-Lanterns for Halloween décor, over the years, I've found that our October gets a bit hectic.  We seem to have more time for pumpkin crafts in November.  Having a week-long Thanksgiving break is pretty standard, so I like saving fun projects to keep my family engaged.  Now that my kids are teens, they have more dexterity and can carve more elaborate designs.  This year, I planted Atlantic Giant pumpkins so we could try the more intricate designs in the carving packets.  While we carve, it's been a tradition to save and roast the seed.  We each create a savory or sweet spice combo for the seeds and then judge which tastes the best.  Those seeds will stay on the table in bowls to snack on throughout the week.  After carving, we will place the pumpkins and other fall items on the porch for a festive display.  

I found this last project in a magazine back in 2015.  It has become a favorite because it always turns out famously whether you keep it simple or get involved.  Any size of pumpkin will work; pictured is a mid-sized Jarrah Dale and white Spooky.    

For this craft, you will need tacky glue spray or hot glue, succulents, moss, acorns, tiny bits of bark, pinecones, and whatever you think looks festive.  I even tucked in a squirrel from one of my fairy gardens. Get creative! A bonus activity is hiking after a rainy day and collecting items from the woods.  We have a fantastic selection of moss and lichen right at our doorsteps, but if you can't find any, Friedman's Home Improvement sells large bags of moss at a cheaper price than the craft store.  

For the assembly, choose the pumpkin you'd like to decorate.  Spray with tacky glue and stick the moss around the stem and top edge.  Press in various succulents, and arrange items like you would a flower bouquet.  If necessary, use a glue gun to attach anything still moving around.  Now, you have a gorgeous centerpiece for any table, and if you use mini pumpkins, they make cute placeholders for your holiday table. 

To keep them looking fresh, mist the top with a spray bottle every few days.  The pictured pumpkin lasted well into spring because I kept it hydrated.  If you end up doing this project or have other pumpkin crafts you like making, send me a photo.  I enjoy seeing other people's creativity and am always looking for new projects or ideas. 

All my best to you and your families this wonderful month of November.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

September 2024

“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today” - Author Unknown

If you’re willing to pay attention and catch seed before it’s taken on the breeze, you’ll be rewarded with a thriving garden year after year.  

West County is notorious for its microclimates, but when you collect your seed, it’s already been acclimated to your specific garden, guaranteeing great success.  

September is the perfect month to begin selecting seeds from your star performers.  For greens, root veggies, brassicas, onions, and most flowers, leave a couple to produce seeds.  For some plants that you’re eating the seed (e.g., peas, beans, and corn), you’ll need to leave some on the plant to fully form and dry out to ensure the viability of the seed.

Lauren’s Purple Grape Poppy Heads

For flowers, choose a plant with large flowers and no abnormalities.  I adore Lauren’s Purple Grape Poppies (Papaver Somniferum), and it took only one seed packet to find myself ten years later with poppies still popping everywhere. I’ve nicknamed the seed heads nature's salt shaker because not only do they resemble one, but you can take one large seed head and lightly “salt” your soil, and you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous purple blooms in early spring.

Other suggestions for flowers that do well sown directly and compliment the vegetable garden are sweet peas, bachelor buttons, nasturtiums, strawflower, calendula, honeywort (a fave!), cosmos, marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers.  In months past, I’ve discussed the many benefits of growing flowers amongst your veggies, so if you don’t have many flowers in your garden this year, definitely visit Harmony’s wall of seeds, or the Sebastopol Hardware Store, to add some diversity and attract more pollinators. 

Abalone Shells are great for drying seed

Now, to efficiently collect in the garden, I like to keep a stack of paper plates and a Sharpie handy.  As seeds or pods are ready to harvest, I grab a plate, label it, and place the seeds on it. I usually have multiple plates, so it’s easy to stack and carry inside to a cool location for further drying.  You can stack one plate on top of another to easily bring them indoors and ensure proper drying.   Any bit of moisture will cause the whole batch to rot, so make sure they are bone dry before placing them into any long-term storage container, such as a jar or a simple ziplock bag. 

Jars for of seed

To collect seeds inside the fruit, I use the same paper plate method, but I scoop the seeds as I’m preparing them for a meal. This works great for cucumbers, squash, etc., because you can taste the produce and ensure its deliciousness.   

I hope you will be inspired to save seeds from your garden this year.  If you’re new to it, you’ll likely find a lot of joy just figuring out where the seed will come from.  Flowers are especially clever at hiding their seed.  While, I haven’t grown everything from seed, I’ve come darn near close, so if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy Gardening!

August 2024

The garden is full of delight as warm weather continues and the plants become heavy with produce.  It can be challenging to keep up with harvesting, especially if you have a garden on the larger side. It’s a perfect time to start thinking of ways to preserve the veggies you cannot eat immediately.  I’m getting better at gauging how much my family consumes and what crops are more popular than others, but regardless, I still have an overflow of certain crops.  Here are some things I’ve learned and others I’ve gleaned from the community gardeners.  Instead of harvesting as needed,  I pick everything and store the extra in Ziploc bags in the fridge.  It works great for all greens, plus broccoli, cauliflower, beets, and carrots.  You will find that your freshly picked produce will last for more than double the time of anything from the grocery store.

For tomatoes, I have started freezing my overflow.  It’s satisfying to take them out in a few months and cook them down into a fast pizza or pasta sauce cause you can’t beat that garden tomato flavor in the middle of winter.  

Other ideas are to preserve or bottle your produce. One gardener told me he keeps his canner out during the entire season and cans every few days instead of waiting for two or three giant batches. He said it was far more manageable and less daunting. 

If you don’t want to get all the equipment for canning, you might try a more straightforward route with refrigerator pickling.  Years ago, a community gardener introduced me to this method, and the results were surprisingly tasty. You can get creative and experiment with different mixes of veggies for your pickle jar. There are endless ways to flavor the pickles, such as using herbs and making them sweet or spicy. The internet is chock-full of recipes, with some taking as little as 10 minutes. Check it out if you’re short on time and must preserve produce quickly.

The last option is the good old-fashioned trade or giving it away.  If you live in a neighborhood, try placing a basket out in your yard with a free sign and see how long it takes for produce to disappear.  Well…that is unless you put out zucchini.  Extras of those might just need to head straight to the compost to return as nutrients for next year’s garden.    

In the end, it’s always a good problem to have more than you can use. I hope your garden is thriving and you’re enjoying all the “fruits” of your labors.  If you have pictures of your garden that you’d like to share, email me to be featured in a future article.  This publication is about fostering community, and it’s always nice to see what you’re growing in beautiful West County.  Also, if you have missed previous articles, you’ll find a copy of them on my website under Garden News.  Happy Gardening!

July 2024

July is a magnificent time in the garden.  Abundant sunshine and consistent temperatures lead to thriving plants and overflowing harvest baskets.  In fact, you'll likely need multiple baskets from here on out to get all of your produce into the kitchen.  I love to grow flowers amongst my veggies, and I leave a few mason jars outside to put my bouquets in so they don't get crushed in my basket.  There is something satisfying about harvesting everything for a salad and a colorful bouquet for the table.

The to-do list is short this month, with the garden mainly requiring maintenance and keeping an eye out for pests and plants that might need extra nutrients.  They are working so hard on production, and it's a good idea to scratch in organic fertilizer or top dress with compost.  Warmer weather also significantly boosts the aphid population amongst brassicas, aka kale, broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower plants.  For a true invasion, which seems to hit my garden without fail about this time every year, my best remedy is dusting them with food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE).  If you're just having a relatively minor insect problem, insecticidal soap or even dawn dish soap mixed with water can be quite effective in getting on top of the situation before it turns into an insect rave.

I find myself excited to be amid so much fresh produce, and while I'm enjoying the literal fruits of my labor, I'm also taking time to acknowledge the vital role my garden plays in my life and that of my family.  There is true magic happening out there every single second of every single day.  To some, that might sound cheesy, but to me, it's realizing we are a part of nature, and it never hurts to pause and be thankful for its consistency and constancy in our lives.  Not only does the garden provide fresh food, but it also directly affects our mood and well-being.  When was the last time you heard advice saying, if you're stressed and feeling disconnected, take time out of your busy day to hole up in a dark closet 20 stories up in a skyscraper; the effects will be transformational!! 

Instead, it's always to take the time and get out in nature.  Go for a walk on your lunch break, brighten your desk with fresh flowers, visit a local park, and take in the sights and sounds.  Well, West County might be the most glorious place to heed that advice.  Yes, July does become incredibly busy with tourists, and I get annoyed here and there with slow drivers, lots of traffic, etc.  But there is a reason everyone wants to invade our towns.  We truly have it all: hiking amongst the redwoods, recreation on the Russian River, a gorgeous coastline, excellent weather, and so much more.  I'm going to make an effort to slow down (I promise not on River Road) and soak up the beauty surrounding me.  After all, we are truly living in paradise.  Happy Gardening!

June 2024

Last month, we discussed sowing a batch of popping corn, and now it’s time to plant some pumpkins at their base. I start pumpkins around June because it’s just the right timing for them to cure on the vine and be ready for Halloween carving or a festive fall display.  

I typically sow seeds, but I also like to visit the local nursery, specifically Harmony Farms, because they always have strong starts and exciting varieties. Starting both starts and seeds also offsets the timing for harvest, so I don’t have 50 pumpkins ready all at once.  Take some time to think about what you will be using your pumpkins for and plant accordingly.  I love lining my entry steps with colorful and differently shaped varieties, but I plant only one vine for obscure types that I only want a few of.  Pumpkins are monoecious, meaning they have both male and female flowers on the same plant, and you will not need more than one of each variety for pollination.  It varies with each type, but you can typically count on at least 4-6 from each plant.  I put in at least three plants for a bigger harvest of the large and carving pumpkins.  If you’re planting from seed, sow at least two per hole just in case one doesn’t sprout. 

Cinderella’s Carriage on cardboard

Pumpkins require relatively little effort if you get them started off right.  Ensure they have a boost of organic fertilizer from the beginning and feed regularly throughout the season to maintain healthy vines and fruit. Provide plenty of room to spread out, and If you’re gardening in raised beds, situate them near the edge and let them flow out of the box.  As the fruit forms, I place a piece of cardboard underneath each one so it won’t get soft when it comes in contact with the dirt.  When the pumpkin is about the size of a cantaloupe, I turn them to rest on their bottoms to guarantee well-rounded growth that is perfect for decorative use and carving.  You’ll know when your pumpkin is ready to harvest, when they have reached full color, and the rind is hard.  Additionally, the stem should be dry and starting to crack. 

After picking your pumpkin from the vine, it’s ready to be placed in a cool environment and out of direct sunlight.   

I’ll leave you with some notable mentions for star performers that are both edible and festive: Jarrahdale (medium blue-green) and Connecticut Field or Spookie (perfect mid-sized carvers).  My all-time favorite mid-sized pumpkin is Cinderella’s Carriage because of its gorgeous red-orange color and the fact that it looks ready to pick up Cinderella for the ball. 

Pumpkin Lineup- Flat White Boer- Baby Boo- Cinderella- Spookie- Connecticut Field

Jack-Be-Little and Baby Boo (white) are cute 2-4 inch mini pumpkins that produce well.  I also like throwing in Turk’s Turban and Festival Acorn or other warty varieties for added interest in a display.  

There are many wonderful heirlooms out there, so definitely visit the seed section at Ace Hardware in Sebastopol or Harmony to find your new favorite.  Buckle up the gardening season is nearly in full swing. Happy gardening!

May 2024

With longer daylight hours and the sun shining steadily, May arrives with the beautiful scent of flowers upon the breeze.  The garden is alive with activity as we’ve all likely picked our first juicy strawberry, and slowly but surely, our harvest baskets are filling up.  As you finish planting your warm-weather veggies, I’d like to draw your attention to the somewhat forgotten crop of popping corn.  Often it doesn’t garner much attention because it’s not as popular as sweet corn, but what a novelty. 

Cultivating a successful crop of corn requires a basic understanding of how it grows.  The tassel on top releases the pollen that must be carried to the silk emerging from the developing ears, so planting in groupings or rows is essential for proper pollination.   Each strand of silk corresponds to the development of one kernel of corn, so you can see how much pollen has to blow over and down to ensure the development of each corn cob.  When you open an ear of corn and find sparse and underdeveloped kernels, you know it wasn’t adequately pollinated. 

Also, because wind carries the pollen, you need to plant in succession if you are growing multiple varieties of corn. Two weeks apart is sufficient timing so the tassels of one variety don’t pollinate the ears of another. I didn’t know this until one year I planted a multi-color and a cobalt blue variety, and when I opened the ears, the results were literally “mixed.”

My absolute favorite is an old Native American heirloom called Glass Gem. Each corncob reveals a different rainbow of colors, and I guarantee you’ll find yourself waiting in anticipation for the ears to mature. If there are kids in your life, you won’t be able to keep them from peeking. Helpful hint: corn is ready when the silk dries up and turns brown.  

The bonus to growing popping corn is its multiple uses.  I create a festive fall display with my pumpkins outside or on my Thanksgiving table.  When I take down the decor, I check to see if it’s sufficiently dried.  The kernels should easily fall off if you grasp a cob with two hands and twist.  If it’s not ready, let it dry out a little longer.  After shucking each cob, I place the kernels in a large jar with the lid off so all moisture can escape. Now you have a lovely jar of “gems” in your window, and when movie night comes around, it’s time to pop and enjoy. If you don’t have a popcorn maker,  simply look up the paper bag method for popping.  It’s a quick and healthy way to enjoy your popcorn.  

I’m telling you, there’s nothing like shucking the corn and finding the jewels hidden inside.  Each ear is an exciting little present, and I bet you’ll be saving space in your garden so you can grow it year after year.  Happy Gardening!!