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!!

April 2024

Tomato Line-up- Cherokee Purple, Kellogg’s and Mr. Stripey

Although warm days will arrive and often last for days, I try hard to exercise restraint on planting my tomatoes.  I’ve planted early more than once (mid-March!), and while they rarely die, much to my dismay, they just don’t thrive.  I tried denying it until one year when I experimented and planted a few plants at the beginning of April and the rest when our nighttime temps stayed consistently above 50 (usually around early May).   The first group grew little more than two inches and seemed stuck. The second group took off immediately after planting.   Planting too soon only increased my workload by trying to keep the plants happy and frost-free. Tomatoes thrive in daytime temperatures between 70-85, and to set fruit, they need to have nighttime temps 55+, so it’s best to wait. 

In the meantime, I’ll share some of my favorite tomato-growing tips and the varieties I can’t live without.  

Did you know tomatoes will grow roots on their stem if buried?  I learned this technique from a gardening book in my early twenties and have implemented it ever since.  I remove the leaves halfway up the stem when I plant my starts.  Next, I dig a hole, fill it with balanced organic fertilizer, and bury the plant up to the first set of leaves.  Before you know it, roots will start forming along the stem, providing more water and nutrient uptake, plus a sturdier bracing structure.  You can also apply this trick with all cucurbit family members: squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, etc.  

Brandywine

Now, on to my favorite varieties.  I’m on the cooler side of West County, so I find cherry tomatoes grow better than sauce or beefsteak tomatoes because they need less time to ripen.  Keep in mind, if you’re in downtown Monte Rio, eastward, you’ll have no trouble receiving the heat required for larger fruit.  When picking varieties, I’ve narrowed them down to a group that creates a colorful mix and a balanced flavor profile.  In other words, they aren’t all sweet or all red. My favorite slicer combo is Mr. Stripey (tart/green stripes), Brandywine (sweet/pink), Cherokee Purple (purple/tangy), and Kellogg’s Breakfast (orange/sweet).

Sweetheart Cherry

I always return to the orange Sungold and SunSugar, the red Sweet 100, and Sweetheart Grape for my cherry tomatoes.  These sugary sweet varieties produce buckets of goodness and rarely get diseases. For tart varieties and the purples and yellows, novelties such as Brad’s Atomic Grape, Black Cherry, and Yellow Pear are a must-have.  

You’ll experience a rainbow on your plate when you slice up a mix of these varieties.  Toss them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a favorite cheese, basil, and a hint of salt and pepper, and you’ll enjoy the pot of gold at the end of the tomato rainbow.  

If you have a favorite variety you can’t live without or growing tips, send me an email.  I don’t think I’ve ever met a gardener who didn’t enjoy a bit of friendly bragging about their tomatoes.  Happy Gardening!

March 2024

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".

An excellent example is the "Three Sisters Planting," which was developed hundreds of years ago by the indigenous populations of America. They discovered that corn, pole beans, and squash were perfect companions because corn provided sturdy stalks for the beans to climb, the beans fixed nitrogen in the soil, and the squash acted as ground cover, suppressing weeds and retaining soil moisture.

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. 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 them, and soon I learned what worked and didn't work well together. Often, there is conflicting advice, 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!

February 2024

February stirs a bit of excitement as we inch closer and closer to spring.  Still, it's unpredictable as the weather during February can be quite different from year to year.  Often, it arrives warm but leads us into March with frosty mornings.  In 2016, I went on vacation and returned to my magnolia and nectarine trees in full bloom not even two weeks into February.  Then 2019 rolled around, and we experienced heavy rains and massive flooding. 

Stop here and take a moment to recall what your garden was like in February last year.  What do you remember about the weather? 

Does anyone remember that many parts of Sonoma County experienced snow towards the end of the month? And the fruit trees didn't blossom until early March? Everything was very late last year.

10 Year Perpetual Garden Diary

I wouldn’t remember too much of this if I didn’t keep a record because recalling specific monthly information can be spotty at best.  Here’s a wonderful way to assist your memory and provide an efficient method to record the goings on in your garden.

My husband gifted me "A Gardener's Journal" for Christmas one year.  It's a 10-year perpetual diary that has become my most relied-on tool for gardening.  Each daily entry contains an area for recording the weather and a few lines to jot down anything essential for that day.  The book also includes a perennial inventory, dot paper for mapping a garden, multiple pages of helpful practices, a tree inventory list, and much more.  When I buy a new tree or perennial, I can easily add the name and variety to my list and forget about keeping track of a plant tag.  Previously, I consulted a random drawer filled with all my tags, and it was hard to locate anything.  Talk about inefficient. 

Some months, I write more than others, but if you get even half the month down, you'll be well on your way to creating a personal almanac.  As you start recording and as the years build, patterns will start to emerge. For instance, I now know the minute I spot a flash of pink quince blossoms, spring is right around the corner.  From there, the dominoes fall one by one, starting with the apricot tree, followed by the nectarines and peaches, and before long, I'll be sowing the multiple seed packets now arriving in my mailbox.

To purchase a journal, head over to www.leevalley.com and type "A Gardener's Journal" in the search line. While you wait for it to arrive, keep your eyes out for those glorious signs of life.  This month always provides a few glimpses of spring, even if we're experiencing frosty mornings. I love the anticipation of what's to come: longer days, seed sowing, plants emerging, and more fresh items for picking and eating.

Happy Gardening!

January 2024

Welcome to 2024! I hope everyone had a joyous holiday season, and that your excitement is growing as anticipate everything the new year and gardening season has to offer. While January often brings unpredictable gardening weather, one guarantee is a slew of seed catalogs arriving in my mailbox.  I love browsing through the pages on rainy days and circling everything I hope to plant.  If you’re new to gardening, seed catalogs are also an excellent source of knowledge.  In my early 20s, when I was planting my first patio garden, it helped me learn plant names and families, the history of particular varieties, growing tips, and much more.  Over the years, I’ve received dozens of catalogs, but my two favorites are Baker Creek Seeds and Territorial Seed Co. 

If you were lucky enough before the pandemic to attend the Heirloom Festival at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds, then you are well acquainted with Baker Creek.  They hosted this fabulous event and also have a small seed store in Petaluma with a selection of their most popular varieties.  While their catalog costs $10, it’s more than just a catalog; it’s a gorgeous publication of fruits and veggies that will inspire you throughout the year.  I keep mine on the coffee table and have even caught my kids picking it up occasionally.  If that’s not a selling point, I don’t know what is! If you are new to this company, check out their website at www.rareseeds.com and treat yourself in 2024 with a catalog.

Territorial Seed is another excellent company I’ve been buying from for over 15 years.  Like Baker Creek, they trial their seeds, so what makes it to the catalog has been tested for various characteristics such as disease resistance, seasonal performance, fruit production, etc.

Now, if you took my advice in the fall, it’s time to consult the notes you made on what to plant.  Trust yourself and follow your advice.  My notes strictly instruct me not to grow more than five lemon cucumber plants.  Last year, my first crop failed, so I bought a seed packet, and because I desperately wanted a crisp cucumber, I completely overdid it and sowed the whole pack.  Before I knew it, I had so many bright yellow balls hanging from my hog-wire trellises that they started resembling string lights all tangled together.  Towards the end of the season, even the bunnies and chickens started turning their noses up at them. 

By mid-January, start formulating a list of what you want to purchase and place the order by the end of the month.  Some companies quickly run out of the newer and often limited stock varieties. 

If you are new to seed, I encourage you to try some this year.  I can’t squeeze all my tips and tricks into these short articles, so if you want more info, please reach out through my community garden email: russianrivergardens@gmail.com.  The best part of owning the gardens is discussing gardening with various people, and I am always excited to receive questions.  Happy gardening!

December 2023

With steady rains and the holiday season in full swing, I prefer this month to be one of relaxation.  I look forward to knowing that although many year-round gardening calendars exist, mine doesn’t have to include a December to-do list.  We accomplished a lot if you’ve followed along the past few months.  We’ve reflected and made notes on what to plant next season, cleaned up warm weather debris, layered compost, and sowed some winter veggies and flowers.  Sure, we could be ambitious and prune some fruit trees, but why?  There will be plenty of time come the first of the year.  Right now, it’s time to sit back and let the garden do its thing.

Across at our community gardens, it’s much of the same.  On the off chance that the sun peaks out of the clouds, you can guarantee a few of our gardeners who live under the redwoods will scurry out to their plots for a quick dose of vitamin D.  Otherwise, we are all mostly harvesting greens and relying on our stores of onions, potatoes, and winter squash to see us through this time while the garden nourishes itself and seedlings grow stronger.  

When the garden is in watch-and-wait mode, I like to focus on other creative ventures, and I know many of you do the same.  I find gardeners are often highly creative and have multiple hobbies that come into play at certain times of the year.  Some may take this time to write, make holiday crafts, or bake delicious treats.  I enjoy making swags from redwood or pine branches to display on my holiday table or front door.

Recently, my grandma discovered old holiday cards that a great-great aunt used to send out to close family and friends.  An avid gardener, she lived in Utah and couldn’t garden most of fall and winter.  Instead, she spent her days sketching and drawing her garden and wrote poetry to accompany the scenes.  During the holidays, she created personalized cards for close friends and family.  The cheer in her cards is uplifting, and I keep one pinned to my mirror for that reason.  I wonder if she ever pictured her messages reaching so far into the future.   Getting caught up in life can make me forget how meaningful handcrafted items are for the giver and receiver, so this year, I will follow her lead and send off a few notes of my own. 

What creative ventures will you endeavor this holiday season?  I hope whatever you do this month fills you with joy in a time that can often be stressful.  If you are overwhelmed, take a moment to be in your garden or nature.  Rainbows abound this month with all the rains, and the coast is far less crowded and pleasant this time of year.  Watch.  Listen.  Feel.  I guarantee you’ll come out invigorated and inspired.

From my garden to yours, I’m sending much love and relaxation this holiday season. 

Happy Gardening!

November 2023

As the summer veggies fade and drizzly fall mornings arrive, the ease of winter gardening is upon us.  Oddly enough, while the Russian River Valley boasts weather conducive to growing all year, I still see folks in my community gardens putting their beds to sleep for the winter.  The summer’s blood, sweat, and tears were enough for some, and the shovel and gloves must hibernate until spring.  Others often don’t know where to start or what to grow.  The fluidity of frost dates and a lack of hard and fast rules can create uncertainty on what to plant and when.  Being born and raised in Utah, I can relate.  Harsh seasons and rigid frost dates dictated everything.   After relocating to California in 2014, I embarked on a steep but enjoyable learning curve that forced me to garden less from rules and more by instinct.  Through trial and error, observation, and regular note-taking, a timeline emerged that helped me garden confidently in our climate. 

Over the years, I’ve learned not to be fooled by the warm afternoons of early November; otherwise, I’ll continue harvesting and inevitably get caught by a random rainstorm.  Water-logged detritus makes for a mushy cleanup, and the added work isn’t worth the extra days of harvesting.  Instead, come the first of November, I remove all plants intolerant of frost, and the newly cleared space will pave the way for cold-hardy crops. 

After removing the dead and dying summer plants, I put down a layer of compost to provide nutrients to the soil in the coming months.  While doing this, I try to limit disruptions from digging so the web of life that has gained footing over the last season stays intact.

Now, I evaluate my open space and, in the new blank spots, sprinkle seeds or put in the starts of what I enjoy eating.  My winter staples are kale, chard, arugula, collards, carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, and onions.  In my experience, plants in the Brassica family (kale, Bok choy, collards, broccoli) have a fuller, sweeter flavor and often carry fewer pests in cooler temperatures.  If you happened to plant some of them over the summer, let 1-2 plants go to seed and forget about them.  Come late winter, the reward will be a second harvest. 

Ruby Red Strawflower

If you’re feeling ambitious, seed some flowers amongst your veggies to brighten the winter months.  Poppies, sweet peas, bachelor buttons, nasturtium, calendula, strawflower, and nigella prefer to be sowed directly and pop up as soon as they deem the weather worthy of their arrival.  I love walking in my garden on a cool winter morning and discovering new seedlings emerging. 

Finally, the garden will do the rest as the rains become steady.  It’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday season.  Before you know it, your garden will have an abundance of greens to harvest for sautes, smoothies, soups, and salads.  Aren’t we lucky to live in the paradise of the Russian River Valley?  Let’s give our gardens a nod of Thanksgiving; after all, they are a steady companion helping us grow in more ways than one.  Happy Gardening!

October 2023

Despite my desire for just one more juicy tomato, I find without fail that October signals the wind-down of my garden.  Bittersweet are the dwindling harvests as the garden transitions into late fall and winter.  Gardening requires hard work, and while I’m always ready for the ease of a winter garden, the tastes of summer fruits and veggies still linger fresh in my mind. 

While wandering through my beds and relishing the crisp fall air, I inevitably start to reflect on the season’s successes and failures. I find myself noting how much I love the brightness of a particular pumpkin or excitement of a monarch resting on my vibrant Zinnias. But my eye also settles on the overabundance of certain varieties and the underperformance of others. As I notice and remember the small details, I make sure to have a notebook nearby to record them.  This tool has become a vital part of my garden’s success over the years. 

Before I would record my observations, a fog-like amnesia would settle through my mind. As seed catalogs pour into my mailbox like the winter rain, I’d simply slip on my rose-colored glasses and soon forget what truly transpired last season. I’d buy every variety that looked appealing, and with spring on my doorstep beckoning me to plant, I’d begin sowing anything and everything I’d purchased. The result was a bit haphazard, and I’d find myself repeating varieties that didn’t produce much or overplanting something my family doesn’t really eat. Now, I’m trying to be more purposeful.  Though I still cozy up to my seed catalogs on misty mornings and drool over each variety, I remember to consult my fall notes and musings before purchasing.  I make four categories, and I often start to laugh as I remember: 

What went well?  I add to the cart anything under that heading. 

What struggled?  Either skip those veggies altogether or plant only a couple under that category, knowing I might be babying some plants next season. 

Don’t Repeat!!!  This is by far the hardest one. Heed your advice and under no circumstance repeat anything in that category!  Take it from me.  One year, I second-guessed my notes on Costata Romanesco squash and paid for it.  I am still digging deep to see if even a glimmer of love remains.

At last comes one of my true delights as a gardener: What new varieties do I want to grow? I leave space in my gardening heart for a few (or a lot of) new varieties to test.  A great example was my hesitancy to plant the cucamelon, but it has revealed itself to be a staple in my garden. Remember to take notes on how they perform so you can find out if they will become an old favorite, or a “don’t repeat”.   

I hope this process will inspire you to keep your garden producing food you actually want to eat, a rainbow of flowers for stunning bouquets, and new varieties that keep your family coming back for more.  Happy gardening!