News from the Edible Demo Garden

Despite the cool wet start to spring, it was time to plant summer veggies. The straw bales were fully seasoned and waiting for plants and the seedlings in the greenhouse were ready for planting...

A primary purpose for the Edible Demonstration Garden is to show how many ways fruits and vegetables can successfully be grown in Marin. Deciding what and where to plant is an ongoing endeavor requiring a combination of knowledge, experience and a lets try it attitude...

Finding earthworms when turning over soil in the Edible Demo Garden beds is a cause for celebration. Earthworms gravitate to improved soil, so their appearance is an indication that the soil is healthy and is providing the food and moisture that the worms like.

Several years ago, raised beds were built to provide garden space for growing spice plants. These were plants such as ginger, turmeric, and horseradish, plants not commonly found in backyard gardens...

Fall is an active time in the Edible Demo Garden. Volunteers have been busy harvesting summer produce and, simultaneously, planning and preparing for winter crops.

Herbs are among the most reliable plants in the Edible Demonstration Garden. Some garden spaces are dedicated to growing perennial herbs and other established beds accommodate annual herbs on a rotation schedule. Culinary herbs belong in an edible garden for many reasons...

A small bush grew unnoticed at the edge of the Edible Garden for several years until a new garden pathway was needed and the bush was in the way. Only then did a garden volunteer find a tag identifying the bush as a honeyberry.

The plants are lush and green, and the harvest has been plentiful in the Edible Garden in July. Contributions to the IVC farm stand and Community Supported Agriculture included summer squash, cucumbers, beets, onions, carrots, fennel, rhubarb, and basil...

In June, new Big Moose pumpkin seedlings were planted in the area of the garden known as the back forty. However, volunteer sunflowers had already taken over this garden area, which had been left fallow during the winter...

Flowers are abloom in the Edible Demo Garden raising expectations of a bountiful harvest to come. Now the bees just need to help by doing their pollinating job and the fruits and veggies should appear. Pollinating, though, can get complicated.