Cole Crops are a group of veggies that belong to the mustard family – Brassicaceae. The varieties included in this family are Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, Kale and Collards, and Kohlrabi.

Spring equinox is March 20th around my part of the world and it’s coming up fast and furious. Now, I have to admit that doing my spring garden prep work was never a source of serious intestinal “knottage” in my earlier years. In fact it was a seasonal milestone that I really looked forward to…a sort of “back to school” feeling that everything was nothing but possibilities.

Originally posted in 2011, I wanted to update and re-post this as California (and the country) deals with the wettest winter in years, ending years of drought. Our thoughts are with all who are in the areas of the state-wide wild fires that devastated the homes and communities of so many.  These areas are extremely […]

What would our culinary creations be without the pretty pepper?

BOO! It’s time to make your garden SPOOKTACULAR! I love Halloween and the fact that the modern holiday, having its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) or All Hallows Eve, in part celebrates the harvest makes it even more meaningful for gardener-types like me. This time of year, like the spring, […]

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.”
Jim Davis, ‘Garfield’

Two newer (to our commercial nurseries) citrus varieties sure to make you pucker up and kiss your nursery owner!

The method to the madness of organic pest management with a bit on responsible fertilizing thrown in! The following is handout material from an HGEL lesson and for your individual reference only. Please do not reproduce or distribute without the author’s written consent. Click HERE to download lesson

What is”the nitrogen”cycle? Nitrogen makes up 78% of earth’s atmosphere.

  Congratulations! You’ve learned to grow warm season edibles! Now, it’s time to reap what you sowed! Below is the handout from my harvest class… Click HERE to download PDF of this presentation