December 2010 Marathon Rain

Not making it out to the garden again.

2nd crop of pears ?

I have not seen this before. As the French pear tree is dropping leaves to go dormant, there is a small second crop of fruit.

Winter garden - rainbow chard, baby bok choy, mixed greens.

Herbs in Fall

No San Gabriel Valley is great for herbs. The perennials do very well.

Parsley - planted in Spring will now thrive until late next year when it needs to be replanted.

Rosemary - can cut it back throughout the year as needed. Could be replanted every 5 years if out of control.

Thyme - can cut out old branches anytime, good through winter and will flower in Spring, could be replanted every 5 years if too woody.

French Tarragon - all the good branches were cut and dried in late summer. Cut it back in January and it will come back in Spring.

Oregano - cut it back, and it will thrive and flower in Spring. Grows runners that should be pulled up if containment is desired. Forever perennial.

Mint - dies back, cut it back in January so it will thrive in Spring. Pull runners throughout the year as needed if containment is desired. Never really needs replanting.

Sage - is good through the winter but cut off long branches to new growth in January so the plant refreshes. Usually does not need to be replaced.

Chives - trim to the ground and use them. They will come back over Winter and Spring. They are quite perennials

Freesias are planted where the basil goes in the Spring. The bulbs were planted early October and are reused each year. They flower early for color and scent.

Persimmons

Fuyu persimmons are in season now. These are eaten a little crispy like an apple. The more orange in color, the more flavorful, but they must not get soft. They are good in salads with a hard, mild goat cheese on greens with oil and lemon or lime juice. Add dried cranberries and preserved lemon peel for additional dynamic, and they balance each other out. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

Tomatoes and worn out soil

This is what happens when tomatoes are planted in the same place each year, and nutrient needing vegetables are also planted in the winter.

The problem is that this is the best box of the four. The weather was good and not too hot or cold. Water and feeding was consistent. The straw cover was removed. I didnt like it because pill bugs overtook the place.

I will not plant a garden this winter and just tend to trying to let the beds rest, mulch and bring them back to life.

Syrah Grapes

Healthy vines were started from free seedlings gotten from a winery in Santa Ynez a few years ago. They are perfect as table grapes - very sweet, soft skin with one tiny seed that can easily be chewed along with the grapes.

I will see if I can find someone who will make a few bottles of win or perhaps I can rent a facility to do so. Otherwise, they are perfect table grapes.