Kitchen Greens

We've got lettuce, spinach, and cilantro--not to mention baby scallions--in the first bed inside the gate. Get'm soon, it's really getting hot for them to last. Pick the whole lettuce or spinach plant to thin the row--take a fistful, then twist off the roots. farmer b.

Broccoli Farm

Our second crop of broccoli for 2008 is coming in, next to the path just inside the gate. We are blessed with cool weather today--and broccoli shines in the mist. Wait until the main head is ready(but a lot smaller than supermarket size!)--pick that and others will sprout. FB

Sowing the Seeds of Victory

Sowing the Seeds of Victory: Gardening in America during World War I & II

A free public talk by historian and educator Rose Hayden-Smith

· Learn how average Americans changed the course of history during two world wars through community and backyard gardens!
· Hear about current efforts to help our communities and our planet thrive by growing our own fresh, healthy food in neighborhood & backyard victory gardens.

When: 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Thursday, May 29, 2008
Where: Martin Luther King Community Center, 360 Harbour Way South, Richmond, California

Directions: Take Harbour Way South exiit off Hwy 580.Drive north. MLK
Center is at Harbour Way and Virginia (one block above Cutting Blvd.).
Park in Center parking lot on right or on street.

Questions? Contact Carla Koop, National Park Service, 510-232-0865,
carla_koop@nps.gov

Rose Hayden-Smith is a historian and educator who promotes sustainable food systems and community and school gardens that support vibrant communities and environmental stewardship. She is a Food and Society fellow and serves as 4-H Youth Development Advisor and Master Gardener Coordinator with the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Ventura County.

Sponsored by Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, the 5% Local Coalition & City of Richmond

CHOKES

We've got two artichoke beds that are in full swing. Get'm while they're young and small. The hot weather last week cut the season a bit. We had great salads the last couple weeks with marinated hearts and we also love the leaves with garlic aoili! Of course the ants and aphids like them a lot. So, cut them, soak and rinse--3 or 4 times--to get rid of those little pests. Steam and enjoy! Farmer B.

Psst...Raspberries--don't tell the kids...

Oh, that's right there's only a couple big kids left here at the Circus, and they probably don't like raspberries anyway...well it's the beginning of the season. Look in the main raspberry patch--just starting to come in. farmer bill

Spuds

Nothing quite like new potatoes fresh from the garden. Look at the bed right in the corner in front of the bench. I started digging at the path. Dig one plant at a time--3-4 plants for a meal. We had a wonderful soup and salad yesterday using the new potatoes. We need to get these eaten to make room for the tomatoes! Enjoy...farmer bill

Barrels of Fun

Ever since we added 1/2 barrels to the garden we've had great strawberry crops. So now's the time to get out there and pick! Both barrels, so to speak, in the center of the garden.

Pat's Pea Patch

John Coveney's mom, Pat, loved to walk in the garden. Every year she, seemingly, tied her visits to spring and made a beeline for the peas. This year's crop is "Little Marvel" a self-supporting, English-type pea. It's quite a crop, but has taken a distinct tilt towards the west! So be careful, always hold the vines when you pick and enjoy! I know that Pat is here enjoying the peas that she loved so much. Farmer Bill

Planting the Seeds

This blog is meant to help plant the seeds of home gardening. This is a slow grow site. It's also a notification site for neighbors when things are good in the garden--pickin' time! Keep you posted. Farmer Bill