Radishes are usually grown for their crisp, spicy roots, but the entire plant is also edible. The tops can be eaten like turnip or mustard greens, and some varieties are even grown for edible seed pods.
Belgian endive can be successfully grown in Santa Clara County as a cool weather green. The plants need to be started in the summer. In late fall, they are harvested, trimmed, and transplanted into damp sand where they are kept cool and dark. Six plants will yield weekly salad greens from December through…
Growing some of your own food is as healthy as it is satisfying. Homegrown crops taste better and come in a much wider variety than what is found in grocery store aisles. Growing your own also allows you to control the environment so you're assured what you're eating is truly organic.
Rutabagas are grown for their large round roots. They are similar to turnips but are larger, slightly sweeter, and take longer to mature. They have yellow skin and flesh. Like other vegetables in the brassica family, they develop their best flavor in cool weather.
Too many tomatoes to choose from? Can't make up your mind? Consider High Density Tomato Growing, a great technique for anyone who wants to try lots and lots of varieties. Some advice: Plant two different tomato seedlings together in a single cage.
Transplant or direct seed: May–June.
For best results, wait until daytime temperatures are regularly over 75°F and soil temperature is over 70°F.
Start in pots for transplants: April–May; ready to transplant in 4 weeks.
Master Gardeners offer classes on Growing Food in Tahoe during the summer months in Lake Tahoe. Listed below are some of our prior presentations on some specific edible plants.
Be sure to grow what you and your family like to eat. Marie Narlock It's possible to eat fresh from the garden all year long in Marin. Doing so takes a fair amount of planning. Here's how to determine which crops will suit your climate, space, and palate.
Review Growing Great Tomatoes before planting your seedlings. Harden off your seedlings by gradually acclimating plants to outdoor conditions for 4 to 7 days before transplanting into the ground. Start by placing the plants in a sheltered location like a covered patio.
Here's a listing of all our tomato tips. For more information about caring for tomatoes and the most common problems, refer to the UC Pest Site page on tomatoes.