Early Spring Planting

Transplanted arugula seedlings into the earth box today. They are 2
weeks old from seed. The new seeds from Yamagami's seemed to produce
larger seedlings and more peppery flavor than the Burpee seeds. I
planted those 4 seedlings on the left side of the box, nearest to the
water pipe.

One of the two Artichokes has sprouted.

I also received Asparagus root crowns from Burpee this week. I soaked
them in a bucket of water for about 30 minutes before burying them 6-8
inches under ground in the low brick planter I built this year. I
also mixed in some of Horace compost, which had about 5 earth worms.
I'll be hand watering these asparagus until I hook up the drip system.

Early Arugula

I sowed these arugula seeds 1 week ago today. Would transplant them
in the earth box, but we've been having overnight frost and some
prediction for snow in the bay area.

The middle spot contains artichoke seeds, but they don't appear to be sprouting.

'A' is for Artichoke and Arugula

Started seeds indoors today. Just a couple 'Imperial Star Hybrid'
Artichokes by Burpee. Also Arugula.

I decided to do an 'arugula grow-off' between two seed brands. I have
4 starts of 'Rocket Arugula' by Burpee (2009) and 4 starts of 'Rocket
Arugula' by Kitazawa Seed Co from Oakland, CA (2011). I picked up
these seeds from a shelf of Asian vegetable seeds at Yamagami's in
Cupertino, CA. I liked that they are local and the old fashion
packaging.

I plan to grow all 8 arugula starts in my EarthBox, which I just
filled with dirt and organic fertilizer today.

Pre-Spring Garden Prep

I pulled weeds and turned the soil today.  I also raked-in the last of my Bountiful-Gardens "Compost Crop Mix" seed packet.  It will grow a mix of wheat, vetch and rye in the spring, which I can turn under and make compost.  I did it last year too.  It looks like weeds.

Cleaning Up

This weekend was cleanup day. I removed the failing melon and zucchini plants, as well as many many weeds. Also took out the Roma, which performed well, but looked about dead now.

This little eggplant seemed to healthy and thriving though. It's got a couple little flowers, but no eggplants. It's October. I don't think it's gonna make it, but I decided to let it live out it's prime. It's been sunny and warm this fall anyway.



The cherry tomato continues to produce. I trimmed off a little, and decided to leave it. Turned off the auto watering.

I plan to put out some more nematodes, due to finding new grubs in the traditional melon raised bed -- it never works though. I may need to pick them out like before. :(

August Harvest

Early August Harvest

This is my first batch of ripe brandy-wine heirloom tomatoes. It's been a cool summer, so I'm happy to get this many. Often I get more, so I will can some tomato sauce. This batch will probably cook down to only 2 to 4 servings of marinara.







Here are my roma tomatoes. We have been eating these and the cherry tomatoes in salads this week. These don't have very good flavor, but it's been a cool summer, so maybe that is why they aren't very sweet.





This crenshaw melon isn't ripe yet.








String beans, ready to pick!











Here is the smallest butternut squash ever grown!