February 4, 2013

Garden companions: Snow peas and Viola ‘Tricolor.’

The genteel flower that precedes the snow pea.

Harvest is easy since the yellow snow peas stand out against the vines. Order Golden Sweet Edible Podded Peas (certified organic seed) from Heirloom Seeds.

If you needed another reason to grow your own greens, recall that last week the CDC reported leafy greens such as spinach, kale and lettuces accounted for the most food-borne illnesses in the U.S. from 1998 to 2008. Read more here.

The lush radish greens were tempting but a friend said they’re still quite bitter when cooked. I didn’t have time to experiment. Has anyone found a way to prepare them? It seems wasteful to dispatch the leafy greens to the compost bin with no pet rabbits to indulge.

The broccoli head I picked last night was almost twelve inches across; really a broccoli bouquet. While I was in Monterey and Big Sur last week, many of my two dozen broccoli plants headed up. I had a variety of friends and family stopping by the garden to share in the harvest.

Visitors also helped themselves to navel oranges and there are still several hundred on the tree by my scientist husband’s estimate. 

The priority, for now, is to eat the Satsuma tangerines which do not store well on the tree. They are sweet treats from the winter garden.

Harvest Monday is hosted by Daphne’s Dandelions. It’s a time to share what you’re harvesting in your garden or how you’re storing or using it.