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Fava beans with their buttery texture and nutty taste have a long tradition of cultivation in Old World agriculture. Also known as Broad beans, these nutrition superheroes are high in fiber, iron and protein while being low in sodium and fat. In addition to their culinary contribution, these legumes are often grown as a cover crop as they fix nitrogen in the soil. Boiled and mashed with extra virgin olive oil, they make a great spread on crostini or added to stews and soups for a nutritious and hardy meal. |
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“My winter boots crunch the frosted soil on the way past
the compost pile, where I linger a bit for its steaming warmth.
In the orchard a stiff icy breeze rustles the young cover crop.
It doesn't seem to mind, growing steadily despite so little
sun. Nearby several birds cling to the last of the persimmons
— feasting on the bright orange pulp. The fruit are changing
to mush right on the tree but I keep them for morale, the last
spot of winter color until the tangerines turn. Besides, the
pruning can wait until everyone has had their fill.”
~ Degge Hays, Head Gardener |
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| Beets |
Chioggia, Detroit Dark Red, Pronto, Red Ace |
| Broccoli |
Marathon, Arcadia, Calabrese, De Cicco |
| Bunching Onions |
Parade, White Lisbon |
| Cabbage |
Red Acre, Farao |
| Carrot |
Scarlett Nantes, Nelson, Napoli, Chantenay |
| Cauliflower |
Snowball |
| Cauliflower Romanesco |
Veronica |
| Chicory |
Grumolo Verde, Variegata di Castel Franco |
| Citrus |
Bearss Lime, Darcy Tangerine, Blood Orange, Minneola Tangelo, Meyer Lemon |
| Fava Beans |
Broad Windsor |
| Garlic |
California Late, Silver Rose, Korean Red Hot, Purple Italian Easy-Peel, Russian Giant |
| Kale |
Lacinato |
| Kohlrabi |
White Winner, Korridor |
| Leeks |
Lancelot |
| Lettuce |
Optima, Divina, Pablo, Emerald Oak, Red Tide |
| Onions |
Red Torpedo, Stockton Yellow, Solano White, Crimson Red |
| Peas |
Sugar Snap |
| Radicchio |
Chioggia Preco #1 |
| Salad Greens |
Arugula, Mizuna, Red Mustard, Tatsoi, Mixed Baby Leaf Lettuces |
| Shallots |
French Red |
| Spinach |
Tyee, Winter Bloomsdale, America |
| Swiss Chard |
Fordhook Giant, Rainbow Mix, Golden |
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• Mulch garden beds to help prevent erosion from
heavy rains.
• Keep your onion, garlic, and leek beds weeded
• Seed spring vegetables in greenhouse
• Seed long-season summer crops such as tomatoes,
peppers, and eggplants in greenhouse
• Harvest winter crops planted in late summer
• Prune fruit trees and roses
• Spray citrus with kelp foliar feed
• Spray dormant oils on deciduous fruit for aphid
control
• Spray peaches with Bordeaux mix or copper to
prevent peach leaf curl
• Cover citrus trees to protect against the frost
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Mulching the garden
Degge pruning fruit trees
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Protecting citrus trees
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Flowers not only provide a splash of color and charm,
they encourage beneficial insects to your garden habitat.
In our gardens, you'll see any combinations of sunflowers,
borage, sweet peas, nasturitium, cosmos, Echinacea, sweet
peas, Yarrow, coreopsis, Alyssum, to name a few ... |
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We wait with anticipation
for our fall planted bulbs
to emerge - tulips,
daffodils, muscari |
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These big, cheerful blossoms
"volunteer" from seeds
and
past harvests to bring
sunshine into our garden.
They provide pollen for
beneficial insects as well.
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Herbs... evocative of Tuscany & Provence enrich the soup
as well
as the soul! Stroll our gardens and you'll find...
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"Gigante d'Italia" Parsley
This old Northern Italian variety boasts big, deep-green,
shiny leaves with sweet, mellow flavors. Vigorous and
robust, the "Gigante" can be harvested liberally throughout
the season. |
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"Bronze" Fennel
This variety is prized for its beautiful coppery-bronze
fronds and its sweet, yet soft, anise flavors. Try toasting
the seeds and sprinkling on homemade breads or use the
lacy leaves in your salads or over grilled fish. A favorite
of butterflies, too! |
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"Russian" Sage
A little bit of fresh sage really enhances tomato and
eggplant dishes. More traditionally we'll put it in our
holiday poultry stuffings; but "Sage Brown Butter Sauce"
over tortellini really reveals this herb's true essence! |
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Rosemary
No garden should be without a rosemary bush! This evergreen
has a reputation for strengthening memory, enhancing fidelity,
and can be enjoyed year-round in milder climates. Rosemary
grilled chicken or lamb is a perfect pairing with our
Zinfandel! |
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"Genova" Basil
This Italian variety is a favorite for pesto due to its
intense, perfumed flavor. A vigorous producer, the "Genova"
can be harvested in abundance throughout a long growing
season. Great added to soups and casseroles. We plant
ours among the tomato vines. |
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"French" Thyme
This Provencal variety makes a pretty shrub with cascading
stems of tiny leaves. Legend has it that "French Thyme"
provides a secret home for garden fairies! But we find
that it adds something special to our soups, stews, and
grilled foods. |
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Lavender "Grosso"
The most widely grown lavender in Provence is named for
its French breeder, M. Pierre Grosso. Bigger, more colorful,
and more fragrant than most other lavenders, these cultivars
have both culinary and cosmetic uses. Stash some in your
drawers or sprinkle of tops of desserts. |
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