Onions and Garlic

We now have onion bulbs and garlic in stock for planting now.

Garlic or onion bulbs planted into the soil now will begin to put down roots and sprout leaves. They will be nurtured through winter with cooler temperatures and rain. They will fill in well through spring for an early to mid-summer harvest.

Onions and the related shallots and garlic all grow best during cool weather and are okay planted in the fall in California for late spring harvest. Plant in rows 1 to 2 feet apart in a moist seedbed, in full sun.

Onion sets (bulbs) should be planted 1½ inches deep and seeds ½ inch deep. Place seeds or bulb sets 1 to 2 inches apart in the row for green onions or 3 inches apart for bulb production.

We offer onions in red, yellow and white onions and an assortment of garlic.

Bundles of bare root onions are very popular as well and we hope they will arrive in November.

Use our Recipe for Good Garden Soil and then get ready to plant.

bumper

Each 10 x 10 area add:
  • 5-8 bags (2 cubic ft. size) Bumper Crop
  • 5 lbs Iron Sulfate to acidify and add iron
  • 10 lbs Master Vegetable Food
  • 40 lbs Gypsum. (It loosens hard soils as it adds important elements: sulfur and calcium.)

Mix well with your soil to a depth of 8″ and water well.

Bumper Crop

We recommend Bumper Crop soil amendment when planting garlic or onions. Bumper Crop is a blend of various organic nutrients and 15% Chicken Manure. As a compost,  fir bark holds up well over time.  The addition of chicken manure provides a needed boost of nitrogen. Mix Bumper Crop with existing soil at a ratio of 50/50.
Bumper Crop is on sale during October. Buy 4 bags for the price of 3 bags (save $13.99).

October Vegetable Guide

October vegetable gardening includes the addition of garlic, shallots, and onions to the mix of leafy greens and cabbage/cauliflower relatives already on the table.

Garlic, shallots, and onions from bulbs go into the ground now through mid-November

Leafy greens, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots thrive when planted now before the weather cools.

Vegetable Plant Time Amount
(family of 4)
Special Notes Plant Now
Artichoke Year ’round 3 – 4 plants Permanent, perennial. 4″ Pots
Garlic October – January 10 – 20 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Note: plant through EARLY January for best results From Bulbs
Onions (bulb) September – March 30 – 40 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown.  Onions are available as bulbs in fall and as bare root plants in early November.   From Bulbs
Carrots Year ’round 20 – 30 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Seeds
Chives Year ’round 1 clump Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Parsley Year ’round 1 – 2 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts
Radishes Year ’round 4 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Seed
Broccoli August – February 15 – 20 ft. row Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Brussels Sprouts August – February 15 – 20 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Cabbage August – February 10 – 15 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Cabbage, Chinese August – February 10 – 15 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Cauliflower August – February 10 – 15 plants Tie leaves up and over head to protect from frosts. From Starts or Seeds
Celery August – February 20 – 30 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Chard August – February 3 – 4 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Endive August – February 10 – 15 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Kohlrabi August – November 10 – 15 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Leeks August – February 10 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Lettuce August – February 10 – 15 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Mustard August – April 10 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Onions (green) August – December —- Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Peas September – January 30 – 40 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Spinach September – January 10 – 20 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds

 

September Veg Guide

September is Winter Garden Starting Month.

We have starts of all winter vegetables including leafy greens, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and peas.

Vegetable Plant Time Amount
(family of 4)
Special Notes Plant Now
Broccoli August – February 15 – 20 ft. row Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Brussels Sprouts August – February 15 – 20 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Cabbage August – February 10 – 15 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Cabbage, Chinese August – February 10 – 15 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Carrots Year ’round 20 – 30 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Cauliflower August – February 10 – 15 plants Tie leaves up and over head to protect from frosts. From Starts or Seeds
Celery August – February 20 – 30 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Chard August – February 3 – 4 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Chives Year ’round 1 clump Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Endive August – February 10 – 15 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Garlic October – January 10 – 20 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Note: plant through EARLY January for best results Late September
Kohlrabi August – November 10 – 15 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds
Leeks August – February 10 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Lettuce August – February 10 – 15 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Mustard August – April 10 ft. row N/A From Starts or Seeds
Onions (bulb) November – March 30 – 40 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Late September
Onions (green) August – December —- Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Parsley Year ’round 1 – 2 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts
Peas September – January 30 – 40 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Starts or Seeds
Radishes Year ’round 4 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. From Seed
Rhubarb December – February 2 – 3 plants Bare root in November – January, Canned in February – April and again in September and October. From Pots
Spinach September – January 10 – 20 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. From Starts or Seeds

 

Cover Crops Improve Garden Soil

Vetch is a cover crop that will pull nitrogen from the atmosphere and store it in your soil. Plant cover crops from seed in fall and turn them under in spring.

Cover crops are fast-growing plants that are utilized by farmers and gardeners for one or more of their beneficial qualities and not usually intended as food crops.

A gardener will usually work these crops into the soil or remove them before they set seed. A healthy garden can benefit in several ways when cover crops are included in the annual rhythm of sowing and reaping.

It seems that for almost any problem, there is a cover crop solution. Try one, and you’ll notice over time how much better your garden performs with less input of extra water, fertilizer, and insecticide. Cover crops are the natural choice for a naturally better garden.

Some crops add nitrogen to the soil, pulling it from thin air. Others pull up minerals from deep underground and concentrate it in the topsoil as you till the plant into the earth. Other cover crops work like a rototiller to loosen heavy soils with their vigorous roots.

How to Get Started with Cover Crops

cover-crop-clover

Preparation can usually be minimal for sowing cover crops. Cultivate the soil to a depth of about 1 inch and rake out any large debris or weeds. Sow the seeds at the rate recommended on the packet. Seeds can usually be scattered evenly. After sowing, tamp down the soil lightly to create good contact between seed and soil. Water immediately after sowing and keep the area moist until your plants emerge. After establishment, most cover crops require minimal additional water.
It is usually best to cut down or incorporate cover crops before they produce seed. Cut or till the plants just as they begin to flower or before. Small plants can be directly tilled into your soil. Larger plants can be cut down with a weed trimmer or mower and left on the soil surface to dry for a few days before they are roto-tilled in.
We carry an assortment of cover crop seeds from Botanical Interests as well as larger bags of fava beans.

Keep the Harvest Coming!

The vegetable garden is getting into full swing. There are bags and bushels of tomatoes, zucchini, string beans, and peppers to harvest and share with family and friends. To keep the vegetable garden healthy and thriving, follow these tips.

Maintenance on summer vegetable gardens is most important this month. Fertilizing will keep your plants producing right up to the cooler weather.

Fertilize your summer vegetable garden routinely with Maxsea or E.B. Stone Organic Tomato & Vegetable food to receive the highest production possible.

Check for insect damage and use the appropriate sprays. Bring a sample of the damage into the nursery, and we’ll diagnose it for you.

Water should be applied as needed. If the plant has finished producing, remove it. Leaving an old or damaged plant will only spread diseases to the rest of the garden.

Pick vegetables when they are young. This will give you tender vegetables and keep the flowers and production high through the summer months.

Harvest old vegetables and compost them.

For moisture retention and weed control, use Bumper Crop mulch monthly.

June Vegetable Gardening Guide

With our summer growing season stretching into fall, you can still plant vegetables in June and look forward to a bountiful harvest.

Vegetable Plant Time Amount
(family of 4)
Special Notes Plant Now
Artichoke Year ’round 3 – 4 plants Permanent, perennial.
4″ Pots
Beans, lima May – June 15 – 25 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown.
from seed
Beans, String April – May Then later again in July and August 15 – 25 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest.
From Starts or Seeds
Cantaloupes/Other melons April – June 5 – 10 hills Soil must be warm.
From Starts or Seeds
Carrots Year ’round 20 – 30 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest.
From Starts or Seeds
Chives Year ’round 1 clump Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown.
From Starts or Seeds
Corn, sweet April – July 20 – 30 ft. row Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest. Soil must be warm.
From Starts or Seeds
Cucumbers April – July 6 plants N/A
From Seeds
Eggplant April – June 4 – 6 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown.
From Starts
Florence Fennel June – August 10 – 15 ft. row Grown for it’s bulbous base. Sensitive to root disturbances.
From Starts
Parsley Year ’round 1 – 2 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown.
From Starts
Parsnips May – July 10 – 15 ft. row N/A
Seed
Peppers April – July 5 – 10 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown
From Starts
Pumpkins April – June 1 – 3 plants N/A
From Starts or Seeds
Radishes Year ’round 4 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Can be planted more than once/year for a continuous harvest.
From Seed
Squash, summer April – July 2 – 4 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown.
From Starts or seeds
Squash, winter June – September 2 – 4 plants Known as winter Squash because it stores over winter but it grows in summer-fall.
From Starts or seeds
Strawberries June – September 12+ plants Bare root in November – 6-Pack arriving in Feb.
6-Packs
Tomatoes March – July 6 – 10 plants Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown. Weather permitting, starting in March is possible.
From Starts
Turnips February – August 10 – 15 ft. row Suitable for a small garden if compact varieties are grown.
From Seed
Watermelons April – June 6 plants N/A
From Starts or Seeds

 

Summer Vegetable Gardening

Nurture and Support your Growing Vegetables

Many gardeners have planted their vegetable gardens and are looking forward to tasty, mouth-watering tomatoes, snappy beans, sweet corn or crunchy peppers.  Take action now to improve the harvest and prolong it, too!

First, fertilize the vegetable garden with Master’s Tomato and Vegetable Food or E.B. Stone Organic Tomato and Vegetable Fertilizer. Remember it’s better to under than over fertilize. And never feed a thirsty plant. Water the garden thoroughly the day before feeding. Also, keep an eye on the temperature. You don’t want to fertilize if the temperature is expected to be over 85 degrees.

Water established tomato plants deeply and less frequently. These plants have deep roots, and frequent watering encourages plant growth without much fruit production.

Water cucumbers more often. Cucumbers need to be kept evenly moist to help prevent them from being bitter.

As cucumbers, squash and pole beans grow, save space by training them to climb trellises, poles or tomato cages.

When harvesting your first fruits, pick them on the small size, giving you a sweeter, milder tasting vegetable. For tangy peppers, pick when green, or wait until they are red for a more delicious flavor.

Control garden pests before they control you! Snails and slugs are out in force, as well as earwigs, cutworms, and tomato hornworms. Sluggo provides slug and snail protection, and Sluggo Plus adds insect control. Both of these products have organic labels. Captain Jacks (also organic) is suitable for insects and caterpillars and leaf-eating worms and Take Down for small sucking insects like aphids and whitefly.

For those who have not yet planted a vegetable garden, It’s not too late!

June is a great month to plant a vegetable garden. Alden Lane has a collection of vegetables that will help you establish a garden quickly.

Stop by the nursery and let us get you growing this season!

Versatile Peppers Warm and Cool

Peppers are definitely a diverse group in the garden, from sweet to blazing hot.  Every garden needs at least one either to warm a dish or cool a plate. Peppers like growing conditions similar to tomatoes but benefit from a bit of late afternoon shade. The following describes a few we have on hand today.

ANAHEIM PEPPER
80 Days to maturity. A mild California chili. Ripens from light green to dark green to red and grows 6-10 inches long by 1-2 inches wide. Can be used at any stage but is most often used green. Most often seared to remove the skins and then dipped in batter for chile rellenos. When red, it is hotter and usually dried for use. Many cultivars exist, hence their wide range on the Scoville scale (400-4000).

FRESNO PEPPER
90-100 days to maturity. A California hybrid similar to the jalapeno but meatier and thinner skinned. Medium hot when used green, hotter when red. Usually used fresh, not dried, in salsas. 5,000-10,000 on Scoville scale.

HABANERO PEPPER
90-100 Days to maturity. Fruits are 1-2 inches long, and lantern shaped. They start out green and ripen to bright orange and are reported to have a slightly fruity or citrus after-taste but is hotter when red. 200,000 to 350,000 on the Scoville scale! Plants are bushy and can overwinter in a greenhouse.

SERRANO PEPPER
85 Days to maturity. Similar to a Jalapeno in size but thinner and meatier but most importantly, up to 5 times hotter! They emerge green and ripen to orange or red. 10,000 to 30,000 on the Scoville scale. Do not dry well.

JALAPENO PEPPER
80 Days to maturity. Fruits are 3 inches long, smooth, green to red, with a slight taper and blunt end. Dry streaks or “stretch” marks are common and often indicate a hotter pepper. It is considered medium hot on the Scoville scale, rating 5,000-7,000. Can be eaten either green or red but is hotter when red.

JIMMY NARDELLO PEPPER
80-90 Days to maturity. A sweet pepper that looks like one of the spicy peppers. If you sauté these peppers, they are apple sweet.

Choosing Tomato Varieties

Tomato Season is an exciting time around here. We have a large collection of tomatoes available to purchase and plant for mid to late summer enjoyment. During the course of the season we will have over 100 varieties.

Tomatoes group nicely into types according to growth habit and production.

Determinate types grow in a compact, bush form, requiring little staking. Fruit forms on the ends of the branches; most of the crop ripens at the same time. One or more successive plantings will ensure an extended harvest period. Determinate types are often the choice of those who want a large supply of ripe fruit at once for canning. Great choice for containers. Determinate types include Ace 55, Celebrity and Italian Roma.

Indeterminate varieties continue to grow and produce fruit all season until the first frost. Tomatoes in all stages of development may be on the plants at one time. The plants set fruit clusters along a vigorously growing vining stem. Under optimum conditions, some can grow over 15′, but in most home gardens they reach about 6′. Some indeterminates have a bush form with stockier vines, which set fruit clusters closer together. Indeterminate types include Beefsteak, most cherry tomatoes, and San Marzano (paste).

Tomatoes can also be also grouped by use (slicing, cooking & cherry) and size.

  • For slicing, use tomatoes that are large and juicy.
  • Cooking (paste/sauce/Roma/plum) tomatoes are drier (concentrated flavor), with fewer seeds, making them ideal for a sauce but also excellent for slicing.
  • Cherry (salad) tomatoes are bite-sized and come in several shapes like oblong, pear-shaped or round.

Plant Seeds or Starts for Winter Vegetables Now

You may not be thinking Winter in mid-August, but now time to start planting cool-season vegetables from seed.

California enjoys a long growing season. The cool side of summer and the warm side of winter both count for bumper-crop gardening. Planting now allows for a deep, established root system and a very long growing season resulting in more abundant harvests. Sow seeds directly in the garden as space permits, or start seeds indoors and set out in September.  Snap peas growing on a vine

We are starting to get some starter plants in our bedding department. These provide a few weeks head start on those planted from seed. Important to remember that these winter vegetables are sensitive to heat and should not be in sun after noon until about September 1st.

Veggies to plant now include leafy vegetables and members of the cabbage family and including cauliflower and broccoli. Also, plant parsley, snap peas and snow peas, onions, leeks, and chard. Along with beets, carrots, radishes from seed.

(Remember to protect young starter plants from intense heat if temperatures spike; improvise a shade cover. We have shade cloth to help.