SPRING IS HERE! It's time to get back into the garden, harvest winter crops, and prepare for spring planting. If you hesitate too long the birds, squirrels and deer may beat you to it! Ripe and ready for harvest are cool weather crops like broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks and greens!

Let's hear it for those crisp & tasty little greens that made it through the lack of sunlight and winter chills! In our mild Bay Area climate, we are fortunate enough to grow quite an assortment of leafy greens all year long. Our choices in lettuce varieties seems to increase every year. You could try growing tender loose-leaf varieties like 'Bernice' or 'Australian Yellow'. Or enjoy the frilly red leaves of 'Galactic' & 'Lollo Rosa'. 'Buttercrunch' & 'Nancy' are great for their tender, buttery texture. Look for a number of reliable crisphead and Romaine varieties, also.

I can't think of a better time to grow your own spinach! This fast growing annual is one of the most productive & nutritious greens in our gardens. Look for tasty varieties like 'Bloomsdale', 'Bordeaux' and 'Spargo'. Stagger your plantings every 3 to 4 weeks throughout the year for a continuous harvest of young leaves. Before planting, work a little composted manure (it's safe if well-composted), or another nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer, into the top 2 or 3 inches of soil. Remember to harvest the entire plant before it bolts or goes to seed.

Beets and Swiss chard will add some beautiful color to your garden and kitchen table. They can both be grown all year for their young tasty leaves. The beetroots will provide another treat.

For something a little different, you'll love our selections of Asian and European greens. Mustard, Pak Choi & Tatsoi are vitamin-packed and ready to stir-fry. Some European market favorites like arugula, frisée and radicchio can grow quite easily on your patio. They do best in mid-day shade during the summer.

Most greens prefer loose, fertile, well-draining soil. Do your best to protect tender young seedlings from birds, paws, snails and heavy rains. During cold winter and spring months it is best to plant them in full sunlight. In the summer and fall, protect young seedlings and tender varieties from hot afternoon sun. Try planting behind a bean trellis or a tall tomato plant. Also, try to avoid overhead watering late in the evening, as this could encourage fungal problems.

Take a stroll down our vegetable aisle for some greens and other healthy fruits and veggies that are ready to plant. You'll find it gratifying and nutritionally (& financially) rewarding. Have Fun!

– Che