In this blog on California Gardening, we take you on a tour of a flourishing garden in October. From beans to eggplants, hyacinth beans to ivy gourds, this garden showcases a diverse range of crops. Additionally, we review a smart Wi-Fi irrigation timer that doubles as a smart socket, offering convenience and efficiency in garden management.

Harvest Highlights:

1. Beans: October kicks off with a bountiful bean harvest, with trellised plants laden with beans. Cooler weather slows production as the month progresses.

2. Eggplants: Various eggplant varieties thrive in this garden, including Indian eggplants, medium purple eggplants, and Black Moon eggplants.

3. Hyacinth Beans: These beans are a consistent source of harvest throughout the month, even in cooler weather.

4. Ivy Gourd: Both short and long varieties of Ivy gourds thrive in containers and raised beds, producing a remarkable yield.

5. Mango: A “Little Gem” mango is harvested, revealing its sweet and juicy flesh.

6. Moringa: Moringa pods are harvested extensively this month, showcasing the productivity of this tree.

7. Okra: Nombo Giant and Emerald okra continue to produce, with a surprising boost in production early in October.

8. Peppers: While bell peppers slow down due to cooler weather, green peppers are still harvested.

9. Radish: Although radish growth was affected by unseasonably warm weather, a decent harvest is achieved.

10. Ridge Gourd: Ridge gourds steal the show, with an abundance of tender and mature gourds.

11. Snake Gourd: The slowest-growing crop this month, snake gourds still yield a late harvest.

12. Strawberry Guavas: Strawberry guavas ripen and offer a delectable treat from the garden.

Gardening Tips:

Fertilizing with AgroThrive – We shared how we use AgroThrive fertilizers in our garden. The pre-digested liquid fertilizers are applied every 15 days to provide essential nutrients to the plants. We also use worm tea to further enhance nutrient uptake.

Gardening Product Review – RainPoint Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Timer: We reviewed the RainPoint Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Timer, which also doubles as a smart socket. This modern irrigation timer offers wireless control through a user-friendly app, making it easy to set up and manage your garden’s watering schedule. The review in the video includes details on setup, irrigation calendar, moisture sensors, and smart schedules.

October was a productive month in our California garden. We hope you found this informative and inspiring for your gardening endeavors. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them in the comments section below. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to our channel for more gardening tips and updates. Happy gardening!

Make sure to watch “Gardening : Massive Harvests in October 2022 – California Gardening“

Are you ready to make the most out of your winter garden? Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, there are plenty of opportunities to cultivate delicious and nutritious vegetables, even during the colder months. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you on a tour of a California garden in the heart of winter and share expert tips and tricks to help your winter garden thrive. From harvesting the freshest produce to practical garden maintenance, we’ve got you covered.

 

Harvests

Let’s start with the heart of any garden the harvests! In this California garden, January brought an abundance of crops that were meticulously nurtured during the cool winter season.

Broccoli: Broccoli, a favorite cool-weather vegetable, graced the garden in containers and raised beds. Harvesting both main heads and side florets, the gardener showcased beautiful broccoli that thrived during this time of year.

Cabbage: Cabbage, another winter-loving vegetable, offered its delicious and crisp heads. You can easily determine when to harvest cabbage by checking if the heads are firm and ready for consumption.

Carrots: These medium-sized Korean carrots were a treat. Sweet and delectable, they were harvested from raised beds and containers, showcasing the versatility of growing carrots in different spaces.

Cauliflower: Cauliflower, a personal favorite, was harvested, displaying its impressive heads. Don’t forget that cauliflower leaves are also edible and make for a tasty addition to your recipes.

Cilantro: This versatile herb, grown throughout the garden, provided bunches of fresh cilantro. Regular harvesting keeps the plant thriving throughout the season.

Galangal: An exotic root vegetable resembling ginger, galangal was an intriguing addition to the garden. Although challenging to harvest from a container, the unique and spicy flavor of this root makes it a worthwhile addition to your garden.

Lettuce: The gardener cultivated lettuce in containers, where it’s less susceptible to pest damage. By harvesting the outer leaves, the lettuce plant continued to produce fresh leaves, perfect for salads.

Limes: A prolific lime tree in the garden yielded a bounty of sweet and zesty limes. These delicious fruits were harvested when they turned a vibrant yellow.

Red Leaf Mustard: This easy-to-grow green brought color and spice to the garden. Ideal for salads or cooked dishes, red leaf mustard is packed with flavor and nutrition.

Radish: Korean radishes were ready for harvest. Their distinctive shape and pungent flavor make them a versatile addition to your culinary adventures.

Spinach: Spinach, a cool-season crop, graced the garden with its nutrient-rich leaves. Whether consumed raw or cooked, it’s a must-have green for any garden.

Sweet Potato: Harvesting sweet potatoes from raised beds required loosening the soil after rain. The process revealed the sweet potatoes growing around the main tuber. 

Tangerines: The Gold Nugget tangerine tree produced a generous supply of sweet and delicious tangerines, perfect for snacking or juicing.

Turmeric: A year-long journey led to the harvest of vibrant turmeric tubers. These were sun-dried and ground into a fragrant and healthy spice that’s a staple in many dishes.

Garden Tour

Now, let’s take a tour of the garden’s raised beds and containers, showcasing the thriving plants and various vegetables.

Raised Beds: The garden’s first raised bed featured sweet potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, and beets. The second raised bed displayed cabbages, cauliflowers, and more, while the third raised bed showcased cabbages, cauliflower, and spinach, interplanted with taro root plants. The fourth raised bed featured more cabbages, and a taro root plant grew alongside it. Ivy gourd plants were pruned and would soon regrow. 

Containers: The containers in the garden were filled with a variety of vegetables and greens. These included longevity spinach, kohlrabi, eggplant, broccoli, cilantro, carrots, Korean radishes, and much more. Additionally, a whiskey barrel container was planted with shallots, strawberries, and an array of greens.

 

Things To Do

In the garden, certain tasks are essential to ensure your plants thrive. Here are some important things to consider:

Rainwater Collection: Take advantage of rainy days by collecting rainwater. This can be done with simple containers and will provide an eco-friendly source of irrigation for your garden.

Planting Shallots: Plant shallots about an inch deep in well-amended soil. Ensure good spacing between them, and don’t forget to label your plantings.

Strawberry Planting: When planting strawberries, separate the plants and provide them with ample spacing. Straw mulch is an excellent addition to protect your strawberries from touching the ground and potential pests.

With these tips, your winter garden will not only survive but thrive, providing you with a bountiful harvest of fresh and nutritious vegetables. 

Winter gardening can be just as rewarding as any other season, and this California garden demonstrates the beauty and abundance that can be achieved during the colder months. With the right approach, you can enjoy a variety of fresh and flavorful vegetables, herbs, and fruits, even in chilly weather. By following these expert tips and tricks, your winter garden will flourish, providing you with a delicious and nutritious harvest.

Happy gardening! Make sure to watch Winter Gardening 101: Expert Tips & Tricks for Thriving Veggies in Cold Weather! on our California Gardening YouTube channel!

Welcome to “California Gardening.” In this blog, we’ll take you on a tour of our bountiful harvests starting this month. We’ll also share gardening tips and more. So, let’s get started.

 

Harvests:

First, let’s talk about our hummingbird tree leaves. We grew this tropical plant in a container, and it provided us with nutritious and delicious leaves. Although it’s not frost-tolerant, we treated it as an annual and enjoyed frequent harvests. The leaves looked beautiful and healthy.

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Next up is our banana bud harvest. We harvested the banana buds while the fruits were still developing on top. These can be used in various recipes, such as the dish cooked with lentils and coconut.

Our sweet corn plants, densely planted in a raised bed, produced mature cobs. Once the corn silks dried slightly, we began harvesting the cobs. Corn is an excellent crop for high-density planting, resulting in abundant yields.

We also had a successful harvest of sour cucumbers (dosakai) from our raised beds. These cucumbers are ready when they turn slightly brown. They are commonly used in Southern Indian cuisine, especially in dishes like sambhar.

Multiple eggplant varieties thrived in our garden. We harvested beautiful Indian purple eggplants and large Aswadik eggplants. Small Indian eggplants, ideal for stuffing, also grew well. All these varieties provided us with delicious eggplants.

Our mission fig and little miss figgy plants yielded sweet and flavorful figs. Mission figs are known for their taste and dark color. Both fig varieties thrived in containers and were easy to maintain.

The hyacinth bean plant in the ground produced an abundant harvest. These beans need cooking before consumption and were harvested throughout spring and summer, providing us with consistent yields.

Our ivy gourd plants, both in containers and raised beds, flourished. Ivy gourds are prolific growers, making them ideal for small spaces. They continued to produce through the summer months.

Our moringa tree grew large and provided us with moringa pods and leaves. We designed a moringa plucker to reach high pods easily. Moringa is a nutritious addition to our garden.

We grew various okra varieties, including the Nombo Giant, Emerald, and Red Burgundy okras. The Nombo Giant was a standout, producing large, tender pods. Okras were harvested repeatedly during August.

We successfully grew betel leaves in our greenhouse. These spicy and delicious leaves are popular in South Asia and make for a unique addition to our garden.

Our papaya tree bore its first fruits this month, including the Solo variety. Papayas are a tropical delight and a rewarding addition to our garden.

We had Santa Fe Grande and Senaka Chili peppers growing. Senaka Chili peppers, though not very hot, offered a great taste. Pepper plants were prolific, producing numerous chilies.

Ridge gourd, also known as Chinese okra, had an impressive season, producing tender gourds. We harvested consistently throughout August.

Strawberries thrived in our Greenstock leaf planter, staying clean and free from pests. We also propagated new plants from the runners, ensuring a bountiful harvest.

Taro roots grew well in containers and the ground. They provided excellent quality taro with a nutty flavor. Taro plants are ornamental and add a tropical touch to the garden.

Lastly, our single-stem tomato plants continued to yield tomatoes. We also started a new batch of tomatoes. Despite minimal pruning, these plants kept producing.

 

Tomato Harvest and Garden Tour:

Tomatoes often suffer from sun scald, especially in hot regions like Southern California. To prevent this, some gardeners choose to harvest their tomatoes a bit early, but I prefer to wait until they fully ripen on the vine. In our garden, we have Roma tomatoes in raised beds, while the Bush Roma variety is another excellent choice for home gardeners due to its delicious determinate tomatoes. Additionally, we’ve been growing Indian heirloom tomatoes in containers, which have also proven to be of high quality. August has been a fantastic month for our tomato varieties, resulting in a beautiful and abundant harvest.

We recently planted a new tomato patch in July using volunteer plants from our compost, and these strong plants are now producing plenty of high-quality tomatoes.

Garden Tour – Raised Beds:

In our first raised bed, we have tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and some pumpkin plants that sprouted from our compost. We also pruned our beans to encourage regrowth.

In the next raised bed, we’ve planted more eggplants, including the purple Indian and small Indian varieties. Beets and okras are also present, though the beets have struggled due to the heat. Our ridge gourd plants have grown tremendously, covering the trellis.

The newly planted tomato patch in July has thrived, with volunteer plants from the compost producing robust tomato plants and abundant fruit. We also have sour cucumbers, ridge gourds, and taro plants.

The final raised bed contains various seeds, including radishes, carrots, and beets. We’ve also planted a couple of pepper plants, and there’s a thriving ivy gourd plant.

 

Container Garden Tour:

Side 1:

– A four-in-one apple tree

– Firecracker plants

– Radishes

– Overwintered eggplants (Black Moon)

– Heirloom Indian tomatoes

– Mint

– Serrano chili plants

– Holy basil

– Turmeric

– Galangal

– A large container with a thriving mission fig tree

– A dwarf mango tree in the corner

Side 2:

– Pepper plants

– More nombo giant okra plants

– Newly sown pole beans

– Egyptian onions

– A tomato plant (Beefsteak style)

– Snake gourds showing new growth

– Taro

– Additional okra and ivy gourd plants

– A thriving mint plant

– Papaya trees

In our GreenStalk Planters, we have onions grown from seeds and another planter filled with thriving strawberries.

 

Gardening Tasks:

Pest control is a crucial task in the garden. Neem oil is recommended to combat garden pests like corn worms and tomato hornworms. Regularly monitoring your plants and pruning your tomato plants is essential to prevent diseases.

 

Building a Sturdy Trellis:

We demonstrate how to build a robust trellis using wire remesh between raised beds. This trellis can support various climbing plants like cucumbers, pumpkins, melons, and more.

 

Ivy Gourd with Peanuts Recipe:

We share a delicious Ivy Gourd with Peanuts recipe using freshly harvested ivy gourds from our garden. This flavorful dish can be enjoyed with tortillas or rice.

Watch the video here Gardening Tips : Harvests Galore! California Garden Tour, Plants, Tips, Recipes!

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Thanks for joining us in the July 2022 episode of California Gardening. If you found this helpful, please like and subscribe for more gardening updates. Happy gardening!

It’s a jungle out there! Today, we will show you all the harvests we made from our food jungle, take you on a tour of the California garden, and share some things for you to do in your garden this month. All this and a lot more coming up.

Harvests:

Let’s begin with all the harvests we made this month, starting with amaranth greens. We had a lot of amaranth growing in our raised beds, and as you can see, it looks beautiful. The flowers are also beautiful, but the leaves are the edible part. So, we’re going to harvest the leaves today. Since the plant has grown so big, we are harvesting the entire plant, cutting it down to prevent amaranth plants from spreading all over the garden.

Now, let’s move on to apples. Yes, you can grow a lot of apples in Southern California. From our four-in-one apple tree, we got a lot of apples. We were very happy with the apple harvest.

Between the raised beds on the trellis, we were growing all our beans, and July was the month when we harvested most of them. We have multiple varieties of pole beans, including the Kentucky Wonder pole bean and an heirloom pole bean variety. The benefit of growing beans on a trellis is that you can harvest a lot of beans from such a setup.

 

We were also growing bush beans, which we compared to pole beans. Bush beans take up less space and are suitable for containers if you have limited space in your garden.

Next up, we have yard-long beans, which are delicious and unique. They require hotter weather but are worth growing if you can provide the right conditions.

Beets were also part of our harvest this month, though we didn’t have many. We grew a couple in a container, showing that you can grow beets alongside other vegetables in containers.

 

We also grew bitter gourds, a healthy but acquired-taste vegetable, and harvested a good amount of them from our container.

 

Bottle gourds were grown in a container with a large trellis, producing beautiful round bottle gourds.

 

While we didn’t have many butternut squash plants, they still yielded some nice butternut squashes, especially on the sides of containers where fruit trees were growing.

 

Cabbage, though not a hot-weather vegetable, produced a decent-sized head despite the heat.

 

Cucumbers, particularly Armenian cucumbers, were a favorite in the summer garden. They grew very large and were harvested when they were ready.

 

Eggplants were a star of the summer garden, with varieties like small Indian eggplant and medium-sized eggplant. They provided abundant harvests.

 

Figs were a delightful treat, with the Mission figs being highly praised for their taste.

 

Little Miss Figgy, a dwarf plant, also grew in a container and produced unique-tasting figs.

 

Gardening Tips:

Okra, a heat-loving vegetable, produced a lot of tender and delicious okras during July and August.

 

Onions were harvested, both from raised beds and a GreenStalk planter, with the latter showing impressive results.

 

Several pepper varieties, including the Big Thai chili pepper, Bird’s Eye chili pepper, sweet bell peppers, hot banana peppers, hot cayenne peppers, and poblano peppers, provided a colorful and flavorful harvest.

 

Ridge gourds, also known as Chinese cucumbers, were harvested when tender. They were versatile and suitable for various dishes.

 

The snake gourds continued to be harvested from containers, providing a unique vegetable with an acquired taste.

 

Swiss chard, similar to spinach, was harvested year-round in Southern California and was a nutritious and versatile green.

 

Tomatoes, including varieties like Delicious, Beefsteak-style, and Indian heirloom tomatoes, were abundant and delicious. Single-stem tomato plants were used for focused fruit production.

 

Garden Tour:

Starting with the raised beds, in our first raised bed, we planted a few tomato plants and some sweet potato plants. You can also see some plants that have grown from the compost we added to this raised bed. We have a lot of okra growing here; they’ve taken off now that the weather is perfect. The extra compost at the bottom provides nutrients to these plants.

On the other side, we have our pole bean plants growing on the trellis between our raised beds. You saw us harvest a lot of pole beans from these plants, and I’ve saved some of these bean pods for seed saving. On the other side, we have more bean plants. These are all pole bean plants, making it a nice area with plants on both sides.

We have Armenian cucumbers growing here, and in this bed, we have all our eggplants and peppers, mostly eggplants with a few pepper plants as well. These are Thai chilies, and we have different varieties of eggplants here, including the small and medium ones.

In the next raised bed, we have the Aswad eggplant, which produces really large eggplants. We also have beets, which are struggling a bit in the summer season, and okra, which is not doing as well in this patch as in the other one. However, the red okras or burgundy okras are still producing well. 

Moving on, you can see our ridge gourd plant, which has grown like crazy, with lush foliage and producing a lot of rich gourds. Summer is the time when most of these gourds grow well. 

Next up, we have pepper plants in the raised bed, including poblano peppers and Santaka chili peppers, which are very hot. We also have a lot of tomatoes in the next batch, which are volunteer plants from the compost.

Now, let’s look at our cucumbers. We have several cucumber plants growing on a sturdy trellis made by zip-tying tomato cages together. There’s a variety called dosakai growing well, and several other cucumber varieties will grow soon.

Moving on to the final raised bed, you can see our single stem tomatoes have grown well and are still producing a lot of tomatoes. They need some pruning, which I’ll get to soon. We also have a corn patch nearby with beautiful tall corn plants.

Next to the corn, we have a couple of pepper plants, the Yolo pepper, followed by our taro root plant and ivy gourds. The ivy gourd plant is producing a lot of fruits on the trellis behind it.

Things To Do:

Now, let’s look at some things to do in your garden this month. In the summer season, you need to watch out for plants like basil, which will start bolting and producing flowers. Make sure to prune them. The same goes for cilantro; prune it to harvest because it tends to bolt in the hot summer season.

Planting is also important. You can label your plants using a thermal label printer and attach the labels to popsicle sticks. This helps you keep track of the plants you’re planting. Use a seed starting mix, such as coconut coir and vermiculite, to start your seeds. Ensure the mix is moist by gently watering it.

In August, it’s a good idea to start cool-season crops like broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, and beets. Directly sow seeds like carrots in containers. This is a good time to start your carrot seeds.

Watch the video here California Garden Becomes a Food Jungle! Vegetable Garden Tour, Gardening Tips & more!

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So, that wraps up our blog for this month. If you found this useful, please comment and subscribe to my YouTube if you haven’t already. Happy gardening!

Welcome to the California Garden in May! In today’s episode, we’ll take a closer look at all the bountiful harvests we’ve enjoyed this month. Join us for a tour of our garden, and we’ll also share some important gardening tasks for you to consider. Let’s dive in!

Harvests:

We began our harvests with some lovely cabbage. We grew cabbage in containers and raised beds, and the first few harvests came from our containers. Even in smaller containers, you can grow delicious cabbage, like our Early Golden Acre variety.

Next up, cauliflower. Although traditionally a cool-season crop, cauliflower can thrive year-round in Southern California. Our purple variety is particularly striking and packed with antioxidants.

We also had a bountiful crop of green onions, perfect for adding flavor to our dishes. Don’t forget to harvest the stems, as they’re nutrient-rich.

Chickpeas (or black gram) provided us with delicious edible pods. Harvest them when the pods are green, and remember to cook them before enjoying them.

Our Meyer lemon tree produced some large, sweet lemons. They’re perfect for lemonades and cooking.

Hyacinth beans turned into a monster plant in our garden. We harvested the edible pods, but remember to cook them before eating.

We started harvesting peppers, including Cajun Bell and Sweet Banana varieties. Peppers can be grilled or roasted for a delightful taste.

Pigeon peas are like the source of lentils. We harvested fresh pods and dried ones for storage.

Potatoes were a success in our raised beds. Yukon Gold and red potatoes provided a great harvest.

Finally, we enjoyed a rich tomato harvest, including Bush Roma and various single stem tomato varieties.

Garden Tour:

Our garden tour took us through our raised beds and containers, showcasing a wide variety of vegetables and herbs. From onions, okra, and beans to asparagus, peppers, and kale, our garden was thriving.

We even had some unique plants like turmeric, bitter melon, and galangal. Ivy gourd and snake gourd vines climbed trellises, while eggplants and single-stem tomatoes flourished in containers.

Things To Do:

Add Nutrients: After your spring harvests, replenish your soil with nutrients. Start by adding worm castings, which are rich in humic acid and fantastic for plant growth. Water them in thoroughly.

Use High-Quality Potting Mix: Invest in a good-quality organic potting mix to enhance soil structure and moisture retention. Avoid raised bed mixes that may not be as effective.

Compost Your Garden Waste: Consider composting your garden waste and kitchen scraps. A tumbling composter can turn your waste into nutrient-rich compost quickly.

Fertilize Your Plants: Use organic, water-soluble fertilizers like AgroThrive to nourish your plants. Dilute and apply to both the foliage and the soil.

Try Worm Tea: Worm tea is an excellent addition to your garden routine. It provides essential nutrients to your plants and boosts their health. Consider using products like Vermisterra worm tea or Protocol Vitality for exceptional results.

Keep an Eye on Your Garden: Regularly monitor your garden for any signs of pests, disease, or other issues. Promptly address any problems to ensure your plants stay healthy.

Enjoy Your Harvest: Don’t forget to savor the fruits of your labor! Cook up delicious dishes using your homegrown produce and share the joy of gardening with friends and family.

Watch the video here 6 Tips for Preparing Your Garden for June – A California Gardening May Episode 

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Thanks for joining us on this blog of the California Garden. If you found this helpful, please give it a thumbs up. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below. Happy gardening!

Welcome to today’s episode of California Gardening! In this blog post, we’ll take you through an exciting spring harvest and a tour of our California garden, filled with gardening tips, ideas, and advice. Let’s get started!

Beets:

We’re thrilled to share the success of our beet cultivation in the Greenstalk herb planter. From golden beets to the rich-colored Detroit Dark Red variety, the planter proved excellent for growing these nutritious root vegetables. With one beet per pocket, we had an abundant harvest, and beets have proven to be one of the easiest crops to grow.

Cabbage:

In our raised bed, the early Jersey Wakefield variety of cabbage flourished. The cool-season weather in Southern California provided the perfect conditions for these leafy greens. We utilized a technique of tying the leaves together, resulting in bigger and more vibrant cabbage heads that turned out to be both beautiful and delicious.

Carrots:

Our decision to use a whiskey barrel container for carrots was a great choice. Opting for the Nantes type carrots, commonly found in grocery stores, we were pleasantly surprised by the bountiful produce this small space provided. Carrots indeed proved to be a fantastic crop with a high yield.

Cauliflower:

In the same raised bed as the cabbage, we experimented with growing cauliflowers. Tying the leaves together gave us larger, crispier heads of cauliflower with a delightful white color. The result was both visually appealing and delicious.

Kale:

Our kale plants in the raised bed have thrived and grown impressively. Harvesting kale for delicious kale bowls, featuring onions, chickpeas, nuts, and a touch of lime, has become one of our favorite garden-to-table treats.

Kohlrabi:

Kohlrabi, also known as the German cabbage, has become a cherished addition to our spring garden. Its versatility and delicious taste make it a must-have vegetable for any gardener.

Kumquat:

Adding a unique twist to our backyard garden, the kumquat fruit has been a delightful discovery. With its sweet skin and slightly sour interior, it not only adds flavor but is also rich in vitamin C.

Loquat:

Another delightful fruit that graces our garden is the loquat. The tropical taste of the loquat fruit makes it a versatile ingredient in various culinary creations.

Fenugreek:

To enrich the soil with beneficial nutrients, we sowed fenugreek as a cover crop in one of our raised beds. This natural approach helps fix nitrogen in the soil, ensuring the health of our garden.

Radish:

In a clever space-saving move, we grew Korean radishes in containers next to a golden berry plant. Utilizing our available space efficiently, both crops flourished.

Spinach:

Utilizing the Greenstalk planter, our spinach varieties, including savoy and flat leaf spinach, have thrived. The planter has proven to be an excellent home for these nutritious greens.

Tomatoes:

In both raised beds and containers, we’ve had various tomato varieties growing. Our experimentation with single-stem tomatoes this season required more attention and care, but the results promise a rewarding harvest.

Garden Tour:

Now, let’s take you on a detailed tour of our garden, exploring what’s growing in each raised bed:

Raised Bed 1: In this bed, onions planted from sets a few months ago are growing well, and we eagerly await their maturity for harvest. Additionally, we tried our hand at growing potatoes here, but they seem to be facing some challenges.

Raised Bed 2: This bed is home to asparagus beans and pole beans. The pole beans are gracefully climbing the trellis, promising a bountiful harvest soon. We’ve also planted eggplants and various pepper varieties, adding diversity to our homegrown produce.

Raised Bed 3: Focusing on brassicas in this bed, we have cauliflowers and cabbages taking center stage. The technique of tying the leaves together has resulted in beautiful, crunchy cauliflower heads, and the kale is growing abundantly, providing us with nutritious greens for our meals.

Raised Bed 4: In this bed, we planted potatoes, and they are nearly ready for harvest. The anticipation of digging up fresh, homegrown potatoes is both exciting and satisfying. Additionally, a few cauliflowers are also thriving here, contributing to our brassica harvest.

Raised Bed 5: This bed is a delightful mix of various vegetables. Chickpeas share space with tomatoes, which have been growing as single-stem plants. The tomatoes have taken off, and we can already see the first fruits forming, promising a delicious yield.

Raised Bed 6: Here, we have a lovely ivy gourd plant that has gracefully climbed the trellis. Soon, it will bear its unique and tasty fruits. Additionally, ridge gourds have been planted here, and we are eager to see how these round gourds develop.

Raised Bed 7: This bed is a blend of herbs and greens. Longevity spinach, cilantro, and radishes are thriving, ready to be harvested for fresh and crunchy salads.

 

Container Tour:

Next, let’s explore our container garden and see what’s growing in each container:

Container 1: Our thriving gooseberry plant in this container is showing steady growth, and we look forward to its first fruiting season. We’ve also recently planted a jumbo orange fruit tree, eagerly anticipating the prospect of having our own homegrown oranges.

Container 2: This container is home to the robust growth of combo giant okra plants. Hyacinth beans add a touch of beauty as they gracefully climb the trellis.

Container 3: Here, the focus is on Egyptian onions, providing a steady supply of green onions. They are growing well and will soon be ready for harvesting.

Container 4: The highlight of this container is our tomato plants. Opting for single-stem tomatoes this season, the plants are thriving, and the first fruits are already forming, promising a delicious tomato harvest.

Container 5: In this container, snake gourd plants and taro root are growing. The snake gourds are showing significant improvement, and we anticipate a delightful harvest.

Container 6: A beautiful burgundy red okra plant takes center stage in this container, promising striking red okra. Additionally, cauliflower plants are also thriving here, with the cauliflower heads already forming.

Container 7: Bitter melon or bitter gourd is the star of this container. The plant is preparing to climb the trellis and produce its distinctive fruits. We also have a mix of kale and mint, both thriving and providing us with a continuous supply of fresh greens.

Container 8: Recently, we planted a Thai bird’s eye chili pepper plant in this container. We are eager to see how this fiery pepper plant grows and adds spice to our meals.

Container 9: This container is graced by a hyacinth bean plant, gracefully covering the trellis and adding a touch of elegance to the garden.

Container 10: Our longevity spinach plant is growing beautifully in this container, and we anticipate a bountiful supply of this nutritious green.

 

New Plants: 

In addition to the existing garden beds and containers, we’ve recently introduced some exciting new plants to our Greenstalk planters. Strawberries and cilantro have been added, along with a variety of strawberry plants. These additions will undoubtedly add freshness and flavor to our garden and future meals.

 

Conclusion:

We hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of our California garden, filled with the joys and rewards of gardening. From the abundance of beets to the crisp cauliflower heads, and the promising tomatoes to the diverse container garden, our gardening journey has been both rewarding and educational.

If you found our gardening tips and experiences helpful, don’t forget to give us a thumbs up and leave your comments in the section below. Happy gardening, fellow garden enthusiasts! Let’s continue nurturing our gardens and sharing the joys of homegrown produce with our loved ones. Until next time!

 

Welcome to the California Garden in the vibrant month of March! Join us for an exciting episode filled with bountiful harvests, a delightful garden tour, a review of an exceptional gardening product, and the much-awaited announcement of our Mars Hydro grow light giveaway winner.

Harvests that Delight:

Let’s begin with our delightful banana harvest. Our Rajapuri banana tree, showcased in a previous episode with its striking banana flower, has gifted us with a plethora of ripe, creamy, and sweet bananas. As we cut and gather these luscious fruits, we can’t help but marvel at the joy of growing our very own bananas right at home.

Next on our harvest list is broccoli! Our raised beds have been generous, providing us with an abundance of delicious broccoli florets. With their continuous production of side florets, we relish a never-ending supply of this nutrient-packed delight.

In our whiskey barrel container, the Red Atomic carrots have flourished, boasting a stunning deep red hue and a delectably sweet crunch. This container method has proven to be a resounding success in our carrot-growing endeavors.

The enchanting purple cauliflower has been a hit in our garden, and as we pluck these vibrant heads, we appreciate the health benefits brought forth by the anthocyanins that lend them their beautiful hue.

Kale, a true superstar in our garden, serves multiple purposes – from wholesome juicing to refreshing salads, this organically grown kale is a nutritional powerhouse.

The fragrant lemongrass stalks, harvested from a pot, have us dreaming of flavorful soups and comforting teas.

Our evergreen mint thrives year-round in the mild Southern California climate, adding a delightful zing to various culinary delights.

Korean radishes have truly shone, gracing both whiskey barrel containers and raised beds with their abundance. Meanwhile, the Black Spanish radishes in our raised beds have been a true testament to the joy of growing diverse and delectable produce.

Though not a harvest in the traditional sense, the roses in our garden need special mention for the sheer beauty they bring with their enchanting, multi-colored blossoms.

Tomatoes, oh how they flourish in our raised beds! The bush roma and bush glacier varieties have treated us to a delightful yield of juicy, homegrown tomatoes.

Garden Tour Extravaganza:

Let’s embark on a captivating tour of our California garden, starting with the ever-productive raised beds. These beds boast a delightful assortment of onions, potatoes, beans, cabbages, cauliflowers, kale, and much more – a true testament to the joy of growing our own food.

Our containers, a versatile gardening space, are home to a diverse array of plants. From tangy gooseberries to delectable okra, from charming hyacinth beans to vibrant carrots, from flavorful tomatoes to whimsical snake gourds and taro – our containers overflow with botanical wonders! 

Gardening Bliss with “Vitality”:

We are thrilled to share our experience with the “Vitality” gardening product from Vermistera. This concentrated worm-casting product has worked wonders on our plants, helping seedlings develop robust stems and lush, healthy leaves. It’s a garden must-have!

Winner Announcement:

Drumroll, please! We are excited to announce Say L from Seattle as the lucky winner of our Mars Hydro grow light giveaway. Congratulations! Kindly reach out to us with your shipping information to claim your well-deserved prize.

With this, we bid adieu to the month of March in the California garden. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our viewers for joining us on this gardening journey. Your support and enthusiasm inspire us to nurture our green haven with boundless passion. Until next time, happy gardening and bask in the beauty of nature’s bounty!

 

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to grow plants without soil? In today’s video, we’ll take a deep dive into the fascinating world of hydroponics and explore the Kratky hydroponic system to see if it really works. Developed by Bernard Kratky at the University of Hawaii, this simple yet effective method allows you to cultivate plants using only water and nutrients, no soil required! Let’s get ready to set up our own Kratky system and discover its potential for hassle-free, soilless gardening.

Hydroponic Systems Demystified:

Before we jump into the practical aspects, let’s take a moment to understand hydroponic systems better. There are two primary types: active systems, such as deep water culture, which involves using air stones and pumps to circulate water and nutrients, and passive systems like the Kratky method. The Kratky system stands out for its elegance and simplicity, as it requires minimal components compared to its active counterpart. Unlike active systems, which demand constant monitoring and maintenance, the Kratky method allows you to set it and forget it, making it an attractive option for beginners and busy gardeners alike.

What You’ll Need:

To set up your very own Kratky hydroponic system, you’ll need a few essential components. The heart of the system is a 27-gallon storage tote, readily available at stores like Costco or Home Depot. Additionally, you’ll need a three-inch hole saw to create the openings for the net cups, which are essential for holding the plants. Fortunately, these net cups are easily obtainable on platforms like Amazon. To support the plants in the net cups, you’ll require pumice or a suitable clay aggregate. As for nutrients, the master blend mix, calcium nitrate, and epsom salt will be your trusted allies in nourishing the plants throughout their growth journey.

Setting Up the System:

Now, let’s walk through the process of assembling your Kratky hydroponic system. Start by measuring and marking the areas where the net cups will be placed in the tote. Ensuring equal spacing between the cups will promote uniform growth for your plants. Using the three-inch hole saw, carefully create the openings, working from front to back for a clean cut. Once the holes are ready, remove any small plastic pieces at the edges for a neat finish. With the tote prepared, it’s time to add water and nutrients to create the ideal growing environment for your plants. Fill the tote with approximately 25 gallons of water, ensuring that the water level reaches halfway up the net pots. This balance is crucial, as plants in the Kratky system develop both water roots submerged in the solution and air roots above the waterline. Now, let’s mix in the nutrients one by one: start with the master blend mix, followed by the epsom salt, and finally, the calcium nitrate. Remember to mix each nutrient separately to avoid undesirable reactions between them. This careful approach ensures that your nutrient solution remains balanced and effective for plant growth.

 

Planting Process:

With your Kratky system set up and the nutrient solution ready, it’s time to introduce the stars of the show: your chosen plants. The beauty of the Kratky method is that you can use either hydroponically germinated seedlings or soil-grown seedlings from your local nurseries. For this demonstration, we’ll be planting bok choy and cauliflower seedlings. Carefully place the seedlings into the net cups, making sure they are adequately supported by pumice or any other preferred material. Once all the plants are comfortably nestled in their net pots, your work is done! The Kratky system will take care of the rest, providing your plants with the nutrients they need to flourish throughout their entire life cycle.

Harvesting and Results:

After a few weeks of nurturing your plants, it’s time to reap the rewards of your Kratky hydroponic efforts. As you can see, the bok choy leaves are vibrant and free from any pests or diseases, thanks to the nutrient-rich solution that fosters healthy growth. The taste of the bok choy is exceptional, and you can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve grown it using an innovative soilless technique. What’s even more impressive is that the bok choy plant regenerates quickly after harvesting, ensuring a continuous supply of fresh, nutritious greens.

Having experienced the remarkable results of the Kratky hydroponic system, it’s evident that this method works exceptionally well for leafy greens, herbs, and lettuces. While it may not be the optimal choice for growing larger vegetables, the Kratky system’s simplicity and effectiveness make it a perfect fit for beginners venturing into hydroponics. Furthermore, the space-saving aspect of the Kratky method allows you to set up multiple systems without the need for stacking, making it ideal for those with limited garden space.

So why not embark on this exciting journey of Kratky hydroponics? Set up your system, plant your favorite greens, and watch them thrive in the nourishing waters of this innovative method. We hope you enjoyed this exploration of Kratky hydroponics. Feel free to share your questions, comments, or experiences with hydroponics in the comments section below. Happy gardening!