Nutrition & Health

Artichoke, Cynara scolymus, is a perennial, cool-season edible flower. Grows three to four feet tall and wide. Thrives in Marin's coastal climate, where it can produce two crops of tender flower buds a year for five plus years.

Asparagus officinalis is a perennial vegetable with edible green stalks. Plants can live for 15+ years. Native to the coastal regions of Europe and Asia.

Beans, Phaseolus vulgaris, are warm season legumes native to Central or South America. Grown since ancient times. Eat fresh in pod or shell and dry. Pole beans grow six to 10 feet. Bush beans grow two feet tall and wide. Good source of fiber and vegetable protein. Enriches soil with nitrogen.

Beets, Beta vulgaris, are a herbaceous biennial that is usually grown as an annual during the cooler months of the year. It is grown as a root vegetable, but the leaves can also be eaten.

Broccoli, Brassica oleacea, is a cool season plant in the mustard family consisting of an edible flower head, stems, and leaves. There are short season and long season varieties. You can grow broccoli in the spring and again in the fall. Broccoli is delicious eaten fresh out of the garden.

Cabbage, Brassica oleracea var capitata, is a cool weather vegetable related to kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprout, and kohlrabi. Can grow year-round along the coast. Native to coastal areas of Western Europe. There are short-season, mid-season, and long-season varieties.