Chances are pretty good that you have room in your garden to tuck in a few Swiss chard starts, some deep purple cabbages, earthy red beets or a few leafy braising greens. These edibles are like jewels in the winter garden, reminding us that in our gentle climate we can have beauty - and food - in our gardens year round.
Growing edibles in winter is actually easier than growing them in summer, when the demands of water are greatest. The simplest container - a half barrel, old terracotta pot or quickly constructed redwood box - can easily do the trick so long as it's protected from critters and has a hole at the bottom for drainage. Fill it with a rich mix of soil and compost and you're ready to roll.
There are plenty of edibles that you can plant in wintertime, including garlic, leeks, onions, radishes, lettuce, peas, potatoes, chard, spinach, rhubarb and other leafy greens such as bok choy and kale.
Organic vegetable starts are available at many nurseries. Two of my favorites are Green Jeans in Mill Valley and O'Donnel's in Fairfax. Here are some growing tips for common winter vegetables.
garlic, leeks, onions, radishes, lettuce, peas, potatoes, chard, spinach, rhubarb, leafy greens, bok choy, kale
Cafe
Leave a comment