Starting a
Garden
A conversation with Vania Fusco, manager of the “Green Basket” Facebook group Katie: Vania, I reached out to you because you manage the local Facebook group “Green Basket of Monterey,” and I know backyard gardening is something a lot of us are pursuing these days. Friends have mentioned wanting to get started but worry they’re jumping in too late; what would you tell them? Vania: Many people think that spring was “high season” for growing vegetables and that their ship has sailed, but the next big season is just starting. A fall and winter garden can be bountiful and easier to take care of than you think, as cooler weather helps retain moisture and keeps most of those pesky little pests at bay, two of the most significant issues for gardeners during the warmer months. Plus, with so many families keeping the kids at home during this school year, gardening provides an excellent platform for entertainment and relaxation. It of-
fers a unique opportunity to learn about nature firsthand.
tions that it may feel a little overwhelming, so to make things a little easier, I’ll share some quick tips to set you up for success.
Katie: How do you choose what to plant?
Katie: Is there a way to avoid planting seeds–and then having to wait for them to grow?
Vania: The Monterey Peninsula as a whole is blessed with Mediterranean weather, and your specific location on the peninsula will determine what grows best. You’ll want to run a quick search of your hardiness zone by zip code (Monterey County is in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, and 10a) the most suitable planting calendar for that specific area. Top cool-season edibles include beans, peas, chard, broccoli, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, kale, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, cauliflower, squash, Brussel sprouts, and corn, among so many other enticing foods. There are so many tasty op-
Vania: One of the easiest ways to start your edible garden is by regrowing veggies. And a bonus — it’s free. You’re repurposing bits of food that you already purchased; why not put those to good use? Starting from seed takes longer, and different seeds have different needs. Regrowing is extremely simple. It’s halfway there already. Items you can easily regrow during the cool season include lettuce, radicchio, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, broccoli, garlic, beets, carrots, celery, and more. For the most part, you need to keep an inch or more of the heads or sprouts in fresh water for a few days before you transplant them into the soil. I suggest potatoes for first-time gardeners, as they are quite low mainte-
Top coolseason edibles include beans, peas, chard, broccoli, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, kale, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, cauliflower, squash, Brussel sprouts, and corn.
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MONTEREY BAY PARENT • september 2020
