For all of us urban would-be farmers, there is no happier time than spring for contemplating our fruit and veggie beds. The April 19th MRAS plant sale has a full crop of eager young plants waiting to go home with you. Click here for the full shopping list of tomatoes, and here for a second list for all our other edibles....and remember to bring your membership card, for a 20% savings on your future summer salads and summer meals.
Here's a little information about a few of the items that may enliven your future meals...
Bowls of Strawberries to Celebrate the Start of Summer...
We have several flats of Sequoia Strawberries; this variety grows really well here - probably because it was developed by UC Davis (released in 1968). This is a June-bearing variety, but the Sequoia is known to produce over a longer period than the regular June-bearers.
So, you get the size of a June-bearer, but the production time of an ever-bearer. Yum!! Strawberries can be grown equally well in the ground, and attractively in containers. They need full sun and moist, well-draining soil. And really, you have not tasted a strawberry till you have grown your own.
The new and exotic - but wonderful - Yacon.
Look! It's unusual enough to come with a pronunciation guide - (ya-CONE)
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| The Great Yacon |
Just in time for our April 19 edibles sale, we have acquired a limited supply of this delicious, super-healthy and easy-to-grow veggie. Originally cultivated in the Andes (just like the potato), the health benefits of yacon are amazing and include: high fiber and low in calories; aids digestion, promotes the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria while suppressing toxic bacteria; good source of anti-oxidants; perfect food for diabetics and weight-conscious eaters. The taste of the crunchy tuber has been compared to a satisfying blend of an apple and celery. I grew them last summer and found that they like warmth, but like a bit of shade in our hot, inland conditions. Here is a link to how the Master Gardeners on the peninsula grew yacon, with a couple of intriguing recipes.
Arti K., MRAS
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MRAS 10:00 am Garden Talk on April 19th
Gardening Can Be a Great Family Activity....
At 10:00 am our Garden Talk will feature Lesley Stiles and Stephanie Jacob, founders of GROWING HEALTHY YOUTH; a School Garden Education Program that set its first roots in 2005, with the creation of the Troy Spencer Memorial Organic Garden. Three more gardens have followed: the Kaiser College Park Organic Garden, the Kaiser Diablo Community Day School Organic Garden and the Bridge Organic Garden. We'll hear what changes in kids' lives come from the ability to create food for the table, and how communities can come together to raise both a child and a garden.
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The April Plant Sale Has Some Beautiful Flowers Too
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| Robin Parer's Finest |
We are honored and excited to have two fabulous specialists with us. Robin Parer of Geraniaceae Nursery provides species and cultivars within the Geranium family. She has worked to protect a wide range of the plants - from rare and endangered members of the family to historical cultivars of once common, Martha Washingtons/Regal geraniums of window box and container garden fame. For the past almost thirty years, Robin and her nursery, aptly named Geraniaceae, have collected, documented and propagated a huge range of plants in the Geranium family.
And, we have glorious irises too!
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| Stan Morgan's Prize Winner - Frilly and Fancy Too! |
The Lowdown on Irises from our MRAS Iris Specialist
Stan is a local amateur hybridizer who competes in regional bench shows using registered cultivars and his occasional seedling which "makes the cut and shows some potential". If you see a pot wearing ribbons, they were earned in these competitions. The Pacific Coast Iris in the picture above was one of 134 specimens competing in the 53rd Annual Mt. Diablo Iris Show; "Frilly Fancy" and Stan swept the show, winning all three top prizes; Best PCN, Best Beardless, and Best of Show.
Going Native.... the MRAS irises have good street cred too...
The Pacific Coast Native Iris peak in April, and the Bearded Iris peak in May. While Stan keeps us supplied with both types from his own yard , the natives, however, are mainly the project of Norma and myself. We grow some from seed and some from divisions. We always welcome donated iris as they sometimes turn out to be spectacular and at the very least are a welcome surprise.
For instance, the ones I donate every year from my yard came from the Tilden Park Botanical Garden some thirty years ago and are still growing like mad in my garden ( every iris has its story). This year we are fortunate to have more true natives than in the past thanks to some donations that will definately spice up our table.
You will immediately notice a difference from the hybrids but I think you will be equally impressed with both. The hybrids include lots of donations and the rest are grown from seed. The ones from seed are sometimes named and include some truly astonishing plants coming from the best breeders on the West Coast (such as Joe Ghio).
We probably now have the largest and most varied collection of native iris in Contra Costa for sale - so be sure to stop by our table at the April sale or on any Tuesday from 9 - 12.
Marthann S.,
MRAS
