Who Needs California?

OK, we're getting to the time of year when produce fiends like me begin to wish they live in California, because the veggies there never stop. But this past year, I had pretty good luck in DC, growing my own and eating veggies from the garden from late-April through this week. It may even go longer, though today we had our first real snow and it might have blown out the lettuce. We'll see.

Here are some pictures taken last Sunday of the veggies we've been eating (not pictured are kale and Swiss chard, both still going strong). Many people give up the garden in August, but for me that's when things really got going. I seeded a lot of greens, especially Asian greens in August and September, and am still reaping the bounty. For awhile now, most of the produce we've been buying is fruit. That little patch of mesclun mix lettuce, by the way, would amount to more than one pound.

Click on the image to start the slide show:

Comments

[Susannah]

Your greens look beautiful! Even though I live in California, I'm not sure I'd be able to grow such gorgeous greens. Nice job.

[Sam Fromartz]

I actually love California and get out there any chance I get.

As for the lettuce, it is not hard to grow, especially in weather around 50-75 degrees. Just needs steady water, especially when warm. I staggered three plots and had steady greens from mid-Sept until now. We have about 2 inches of snow on the ground, so eager to see what made it and what did not...

[Ed Bruske]

Sam, I think Swiss chard is a miracle plant. I thrives almost all year here in the District of Columbia and comes right back after you cut it. I planted lots of fall greens as well. The lettuce has done very well. But the brassicas--mizuna, arugula, mustard, rutabaga, turnips--had trouble germinating. I assumed the August-like heat in October was the culprit. Did you experience anything like that on your side of town?

Ed, My mustard did very well, as the pics show. I grew two varieties. Arugula grew like a weed, had too much of it and it grew too big. I grew too much tat soi, bok choi but not enough Chinese brocolli. Regular Brocolli was attacked by some sort of pest but still got a decent head or two. Same with Lacinata kale, though now it's looking good and tasting good too. Had no germination problems but when it was hot, I watered like hell, at least every other day. That helped.