Planet Veggie Garden

Under normal (non gardening) circumstances, chances are those two words would evoke warm fuzzy feelings…not so when it comes to the Brassica family living in Planet Veggie Garden. What do those two words mean to our cauliflower, kale, broccoli and mustard?
Imported Cabbage Worm.
They are kind of cute - plump velvety and green…but wow do they [...]

We’ve got a little vitamin C grove under our front window. Two years ago we planted 3 citrus trees - a Fremont tangerine, a Satsuma Tangerine and a Blood Orange.
Oranges are one of the most popular citrus varieties. A lush glossy leafed evergreen - oranges have been cultivated for over 4000 years for their fruit [...]

Oregano is a super culinary herb  - a must have for many cuisines - notably Italian, Greek and Mexican.
In temperate zones, oregano can be grown year round. In zones with harsher climates, oregano is considered an annual. No worries, as oregano is easily grown from seeds and can be propagated from cuttings.
To grown oregano, choose [...]

Herbs are a great addition to any garden large or small. Oregano is a must have…if not just for it’s culinary use but it’s use as a natural remedy.
Oregano finds it’s roots in the Mediterranean and in parts of Asia. Today, we find it growing in all parts of the world and widely used in [...]

I realized many years ago that I love to cook because I love to eat. I just realized that one of the reasons I love to garden is that I love to eat.
If you love broccoli - there is nothing better than home grown. It is so sweet and tender all it needs is a [...]

I’ve always loved broccoli. In fact, as a kid when my Mom prepared broccoli for dinner, we kids would fight over it. I guess it had an impact on me as to this day I always make enough broccoli (for the two of us) to feed…12
But hey, Broccoli is oh so good for you!

Loads of [...]

Yesterday, on a walk through our neighborhood, we spotted a persimmon tree full of bright orange orbs. In a few weeks, all the leaves will fall off and all you will see is the bright orange fruit hanging on bare branches. 
The sight of Persimmon trees bring back fond memories of Fall from my childhood.  Growing [...]

It’s Fall and that means all around the San Francisco Bay Area, figs are ripening on backyard trees everywhere.
While we don’t have a fig tree in our own yard, our generous neighbors have four huge fig trees (one green Calmyrna and three purple Black Mission) - they let us help ourselves every year. This is [...]

Beets are a wonderful nutrient packed vegetable where you can not only enjoy the root but leaves as well. So many great reasons to add this to your garden!
Since we got a late start to our fall and winter garden we took a chance by direct sowing some seeds a few weeks ago. We have [...]

When it comes to roots, you can’t beat beets for it’s sweet taste and nutritional punch.
If you are only familiar with the canned beets typically found in salad bars you are in for a real treat if you grow and cook your own!
Beets are believed to have it’s roots in Africa, migrating to Asia and [...]