Artichokes Cynara scolymus     

Introduced to California in 1920's by Italian farmers.

Culture: Sow the seeds 1/4" in 4" pots in late January. Optimum germination at 75° in 10-12 days. Transplant 8 weeks later or until soil temperature is 50°, spacing 24" apart in rows 3' apart. They are usually grown as a perennial and require 250 hours of temperatures below 50° to induce flowering. In late October cut plants to 8-10" above ground and cover with straw. Uncover in early April. The new plants will be rooted offshoots of the parent plant.

Diseases: relatively disease free

Pest: aphids

Asparagus Asparagus officinalis 

Grow in well drained soil, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can be grown from seed or buy 1 year old crowns. Plant when soil temps have reached 50°F. Dig a furrow no deeper than 5 to 6 inches. After planting, back fill the furrow to its original soil level. . Spears should emerge within one week in moist soils. Do not harvest the asparagus during the planting year. Spears will be produced from expanded buds on the crown. As the spears elongate and reach a height of about 8 to 9 inches, the tips will open. The spear will become woody to support the small branchlets that become ferns. The ferns produce food for the plant and then move it down to the crown for next year's spear production.

Sweet Bell Peppers Capsicum annum

Start seeds about 8 weeks before last frost date. Seed germination is sporadic and takes anywhere form 8 to 25 days. Peppers are slow growers. Plant in out in full sun after all danger of frost and soil temps are 60°F or above. A good seaweed or organic tomato fertilizer is recommended. Most peppers can be eaten at any time from green to fully ripened, depending on your taste.

Broccoli Brassica oleracea

Broccoli does best between 40 ° and 70° F. Plant in late summer so it will mature in the fall. Below 25°F can damage the plant. Start 10 or so weeks indoors so broccoli can mature before frost.

Cabbage Brassica oleracea

Cabbage grows best planted in time to head when daytime temperatures are under 80 degrees F. High fertility, improper water conditions and heat can cause loose, puffy heads. Plant your seeds indoors 1/4" to 1/2" deep, 6 to 8 weeks before setting outside. Germination is 7 to 10 days at 70 to 85 degree F. Plant them 24" apart outside in garden. Spring planting should occur as soon as soil can be worked, and fall planting done around June or July

Carrots Daucus carota var. sativus

Best soil temps are 50-60°F. Carrot plants thrive in deep, loose, well-drained soil. Carrot plants do not grow well in strongly acid soils; therefore, a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8 should be maintained for best results. Direct seed carrots into a well-prepared soil early in the spring. Suggested planting depth is 1/4 inch deep in rows spaced 12 to 18 inches or more apart depending on the method of cultivation used. It is important to avoid crusting of the soil around the seed-bed. Covering the seed with vermiculite or fine compost and keeping the soil evenly moist until the seedlings have emerged will help prevent this problem. After the seedlings have emerged, thin them to one inch apart. When the tops of the carrots grow thicker, thin them to about two to three inches apart. Harvest can begin when carrots are finger size. In general, the smaller carrots are juicier and more tender.

Celery Apium graveolens

Chile Peppers C.chinense; C.baccatum; C.frutescens; C.annuum

Germinate in seed mix 80°F about 8 weeks before you last frost date. Seeds can take up to 25 days or so to germinate. Some varities need bottom heat of 85° or so to germinate. When plants get 3 sets of true leaves transplant into 4" pots. Wait to plant out until soil temps are 60°F or above. Plant transplants in full sun with compost, composted manure and a good organic fertilizer is recommended, in a well drained soil mix. Chiles can also be grow in containers and overwintered for planting out the next year. The do go dormant and will drop leaves, decrease water and do not fertilize until the spring. Cut back any some of the dead branches before planting out.

Pests: aphids, white fly, scale

Corn Zea mays

Wait until soil temps are 65° before planting seeds 5-6 seeds per foot, 1-2" deep. Germintion in 7-10 days, thin to 8". Corn is wind pollinated and should be grown in 4 rows or more for best pollination. Compost and manures are good as soil additives. Most corn is bred to produce 2 ears, sometimes 3.

Pests: Corn borers can be controlled with pyrethrin/rotenone. Some people have had luck applying a small drop of oil when the tassels are starting to appear.

Harvest: When tassals start to brown and dry, eat ASAP for the best flavor or store at 34°.

Pole Beans Phaseolus vulgaris

Optimum soil temp is 65°. Grow vertical up poles or trellises. Plant 1-2" apart. Water well as roots are shallow and can use up to 1/4" of water on hot days. Mulch around the roots to retain water.

Pests: Mexican bean beetles controlled by rotenone

Harvest: Beans are ready about 2 weeks after they flower.

Lettuce Lactuca sativa

Most are a hardy cool season crop and can be grown as soon as soil can be worked. Most do best when temperatures are 60-70° and can germinate in 40° soil. A cold frame and cold hardy varieties can stretch the growing season into the winter. Days to germination 2-15. Direct sown 1" apart in rows 18" apart. Cover seeds lightly and after true leaves set thin to 18".

Pests: Aphids control with washing off with spray of water or insecticidal soap.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms should be grown from kits so you know what variety you are getting and don't risk accidental poisoning. Kits can be purchased with logs that have been impregnated with spawn or with plugs that you can put into your own log. Varities shitake, portabella, button to name a few. Complete instructions come with the kit.

Onions Allium

Plant in the fall, individual bulbs 6" apart with the tip of the bulb even with the surface of the soil. In the spring it will send up leaves and be sure to pick any seed head that start to form. Harvest in July or August. Dry bulbs and store dry in mesh bags or hang.

Peas Pisum sativum

Cool season crop and grow well in most any well drained soil in full sun. Plant as soon as soil can be worked. Sow seeds 1" apart and 1" deep. Thinning is not necessary. Optimal temps are 50-77° with emergence in 6-14 days. Grow verticle on poles or trellis.

Pests: Pea aphids controlled with pyrethins or rotenone

Potatoes Solanum tuberosum

Grow potatoes in loose well drained soil planted 3 weeks before last frost date. Plant 4-6" deep 12" apart. Leave 3 eyes per piece. Water on a regular basis and let soil dry slightly between waterings. The addition of bone meal is recommended.

Harvest: When leaves start to die and potatoes are a good size. Standard potatoes varieties yield 10 times the amount originally planted and fingerlings 15 times. Potatoes should be left in the hill 2 weeks after the vine has died, this allows time for their skins to set increasing storage time. Mulching the plant early in the season or at this time will protect them from sun scald. Store in dry location as cool as possible without freezing.

Radish Raphanus sativus

Best sown in spring or late summer to mature during cooler temperatures. Sow outdoors March through August, 1/2" deep 1/2" apart. Days to emergence are 4-11 with the optimum temperatures 55-80°. Thin to 1-1/2" apart, with ample water supply since they have a shallow root system.

Pests: flea beetles controlled with pyrethrins.

Spinach Spinacia oleracea

Fertile rich soil 6.5-7.5 pH. Grows best in cooler temperatures 60-65°. Blood meal or fish meal is recommended for fertlizing. Soil temps 50°, seeds sown 1/2" apart and 12" apart. Germination in 6-21 days with the optimum temperature of 55 to 65°.

Harvest: When young 3-4" stored at 32°.

Pests: Spinach leaf miners, destroy any leaves and keep area well weeded.

Squash Cucurbita spp

Grows best in good fertile soil with as much sunshine and warmth they can get. Direct sow in soils at least 60° 1 1/2" deep with bush varities 20" apart. Squash does not like to be transplanted. If starting early start in peat pots so you will not disturb the roots when transplanting. Squash bear both male and female flowers. The male being the first to flower, the female after. The need good pollinators to get a good fruit set.

Pests: Cucumber beetles, vine borers, squash beetles controlled with pyrethrins/rotenone

Harvest: The young are the most flavorful and tender