Summer came early this year. It feels like it’s been summer for over a month – and there are still 20 days until it officially starts! I see tomato plants waist high and some early birds are picking zucchini already! If you did start early, (remember that you won a risky gamble this year), some warm season crops will burn out by mid-summer. You can do second plantings (or first), of crops such as sweet corn, beans (pole or bush), cucumbers, and basil through this month. If you keep summer squash, (ie. Read more »

Red flag fire warning for the Bay Area – on April 30? Record temperatures are predicted for this week. I guess this is the year that planting warm season crops a little early may have been OK. We got through April with no frost and the soil is good and warm now. It’s looking like 2013 may continue the heating trend that climate scientists have been talking about with increasing alarm. And here in the West, increased temperatures are paired with decreased rain and snow. I think we’ll be hearing more about water supply issues, and they will be even more controversial, very soon. Read more »

Abundance in the garden is usually something we expect from mid-summer through fall. But I’m amazed with the abundance in my garden right now! Asparagus is coming into full force, and I’ve had one yummy artichoke so far. I’ve been eating my escarole for a month or so but now the heads have filled in and I know I’d better use it up soon before it starts to bolt (go to flower). The lovely little mache (corn salad) rosettes were another tasty salad in March and they started to bolt quickly about a week ago. Read more »

Some people are loving the dry, sunny days we’ve been having, but I am not one of them. Gratefully, we did not go through Super Storm Sandy, or deal with the massive snow falls plaguing parts of the country. In the West, climate change seems to have brought drought. Some of the public agencies are saying not to worry because reservoirs are full from the fall rains. But here in Sonoma County, many of us depend on wells, and of course plants and animals outside of human control depend on rain, groundwater, streams and rivers to survive. Read more »

Our garden conditions are now very similar to last year after one of the driest Januaries on record. Have you checked your plants in containers recently? Raised beds could be surprisingly dry too. The cold nights and warm days can be hard on plants; they are encouraged to wake up and start growing again, only to be frosted back at night. If they are dry too it is even more stressful, so give containers and beds a gentle watering if they are dry. Read more »

Happy New Year! These blog entries have become a journal of sorts for me. Previous year’s entries remind me that it was very wet at this time 2 years ago and very dry last year. This year end/beginning seems to be bringing a break from a lot of rain and once again I’m happy to be outside pruning fruit trees. Soon bare root trees, berries and perennial vegetables will be available in the nurseries. If you have space for any of these, they are well worth the investment. But do take care with your choices of varieties and site. Read more »

For the first time in 3 years I missed writing my blog at the first of the month! The storms distracted me, plus being really busy with so many interesting developments in our wonderful county! December is probably the month that I am in my garden the least, though I do at least look at it and pick something to eat almost every day. It has been relatively warm this fall so far and my French sorrel has been particularly vibrant, so I’ve been using it more. It’s been wonderful in the turkey soup. Read more »

We certainly have been blessed by the weather this year. This feels especially true right now – as the East Coast deals with aftermath of a devastating hurricane, flooding and blizzards, and most of the country had record-breaking heat and drought or flooding this year. Our delightfully “normal” weather made for a near perfect growing season, and now gentle fall rains are giving us a break from watering and bringing green back to the landscape. Read more »

It looks like October will begin with a heat wave, which “they” say may be our last one of the season. Who knows what the rest of fall will bring, but it looks like both heat and chilly night temps will continue for this next week. If you have young cool season crops in the ground, they will appreciate a cool shower on a hot afternoon. And check carefully for cabbage “worms” (green caterpillars) on your cabbage, broccoli, and their cousins now. This is their peak time and young plants are most vulnerable. I’ve also seen a bunch of young little snails recently. Read more »

People are saying that most summer fruit has been a bit early this year. I’m wondering if we just got used to the two previous cool, wet springs and cool summers? To me it seems that this summer has been blessedly “normal” – especially compared with the rest of the county – and the warmth has made it a good year for many types of fruit (including our local wine grapes). Read more »