Bloomin’ Backyards 2012 – Food Gardening We hope you enjoyed visiting the gardens on the Bloomin’ Backyards Garden Tour. This document contains general resources for the home food gardener, as well as specific information related to four of the five gardens with dedicated vegetable beds. The information was compiled by the Sonoma County Master Gardeners Food Gardening Specialists.

Food Gardening Specialists have had additional training in food gardening and typically have first-hand experience growing some of their own food. We present food gardening information in spring and fall workshops, in addition to consulting with and offering advice to community gardens, church gardens and neighborhood groups. As volunteers, all of our services are provided at no charge. For more information or questions about these resources, please email us at mgsonomafood@ucdavis.edu. Resources for the Home Food Gardener:

Sonoma County Master Gardeners’ websites:

Main site

www.sonomamastergardeners.org or http://ucanr.org/sites/scmg/

Plant/Vegetable articles http://ucanr.org/sites/scmg/Plant_Vegetable_Articles/

Vegetable Garden Methods http://ucanr.org/sites/scmg/Vegetable_Garden_Methods/ Vegetable Planting Summary http://ucanr.org/sites/scmg/publications/

MG information Desk Email MG Information Desk Phone MG Food Gardening Specialists’ Email mgsonoma@ucdavis.edu 707 - 565-2608 mgsonomafood@ucdavis.edu

University of California websites:

University of California Cooperative Extension – Vegetable Research and Information Center http://vric.ucdavis.edu/main

University of California, Davis - Integrated Pest Management www.ipm.ucdavis.edu

May, 2012

C = cool season crops that grow best in soil temps of 60-65 degrees and air temps of 65-75 degrees. W = warm season crops that grow best in soil temps of 65-80 degrees and air temps of 75-90 degrees and little cooling at night W+ = warm season crops that need extra protection to keep them warm if planted early in season. D = seed is usually sown directly in the garden; T = crops are usually planted from transplants; D/T = direct sow or use transplants Planting dates are approximate due to weather patterns, microclimate and other growing conditions. For more detailed information on these and additional vegetables, refer to the Sonoma County “Vegetable Planting Summary” on the Master Gardener website. Prepared by Sonoma County Master Gardener Food Gardening Specialists. May, 2012

Vegetable Planting

Window Cool/Warm Direct/Trans

Final Spacing

Days to Maturity

Harvest

LEEKS Feb-Jul C, T 2-4 in 120-150 When stems are ½-2” wide SWISS CHARD Feb-Aug C, D/T 12 in 60-80 Cut outer leaves when plant is 12-18” LETTUCE (depending on variety) Feb-Oct C, D/T 4-12 in 50-60 Cut young outer leaves or whole plant BEETS Mar-Aug C, D 3 in 55-70 When bulb is 1-3” wide CARROTS Mar-Sep C, D 2 in 70-90 When roots are 1” in diameter ONION, BUNCHING Mar-Oct C, D/T 12 in 70-80 When tops are 12-18” tall KALE Mar-Nov C, D/T 18-36 in 65-75 Cut outside leaves or whole plant ASPARAGUS (seedlings) Apr-Jun C, T 12 in 3-4 yrs Cut 5-8” spears; cut lightly third year PEPPERS Apr-Jun W+, T 18-24 in 65-85 Can be picked green or wait for color PUMPKINS Apr-Jun C, D/T 48-96 in 100-115 When shell has hardened TOMATOES Apr-Jun W+, T 18-36 in 50-90 When fruit is fully ripe and colored CORN, SWEET Apr-Jul W, D 4 in 65-110 3 weeks after silks appear CUCUMBERS Apr-Jul W+, D/T 12-36 in 50-70 2-6” for pickling; 6-8” for slicing SQUASH, SUMMER Apr-Jul W, D/T 25-60 in 50-60 When small and tender MELONS May-Jun W+, D/T 36-48 in 85-120 Ripeness depends on type SQUASH, WINTER May-Jun C, D/T 24-48 in 80-120 Shell should be completely hardened BEAN, POLE May-Jul W, D 1-3 in 60-70 Pick pods when mature or leave to dry BEAN, BUSH May-Sep W, D 1-3 in 55-65 Same as pole beans ARTICHOKES May-Sep C, D/T 24-48 in 130-190 Cut tight/plump buds next spring CELERY Jun-Jul C, T 6 in 120-170 Harvest stalks or whole plant in fall BRUSSELS SPROUTS Jul-Aug C, T 24 in 100-150 Pick 1-2” sprouts before leaves yellow CABBAGE Jul-Aug C, T 24-30 in 70-100 When firm and before head splits BROCCOLI Jul-Sep C, T 18-24 in 60-80 Cut central head with tight buds CHINESE CABBAGE Jul-Sep C, D/T 12-18 in 70-85 Whole heads when firm/well-formed GREENS, ASSORTED Jul-Oct C, D 2-6 in 35-45 Harvest varies by crop SPINACH Jul-Oct C, D/T 3-4 in 40-50 Cut outer leaves or whole plant CAULIFLOWER Aug-Sep C, T 18-24 in 80-90 When heads are full size KOHLRABI Aug-Sep C, D 4-6 in 60-70 When bulb is 2-3” wide ONIONS, BULB Aug-Sep C, D/T 4-5 in 100-120 After tops yellow and fall over BOK CHOY Aug-Oct C, D/T 6-12 in 40-60 When heads are 10-12” tall PEAS Aug-Oct C, D 2-4 in 60-80 Pick pods regularly RADISHES Sep-Oct C, D 1-2 in 20-60 Harvest as early as 3 weeks from sowing

GARLIC Oct-Nov C, D 3-5 in 120-185 Harvest in June; stop water last month

VEGETABLE GARDENING IN SONOMA COUNTY JUNE TO OCTOBER

BeanContainer: At least 8” wide and deep.Prefers loose, well drained soil; needs good air circulation.Needs consistently moist soil through growing season.Choose pole or bush types.Choose fresh eating or dry shelling types.Direct sow seed after soil has warmed to 60 degrees.Provide additional fertilizer when pods start to form.Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles.Varieties - ‘Royal Burgundy’, ‘Kentucky Wonder’, ‘Blue Lake’, ‘Musica’, ‘Jacob’s Cattle’, ‘Cherokee Trail of Tears’, ‘Vermont Cranberry’, ‘Cannellini’

EggplantContainer: 16” wide and 12” deep.Start seeds 8 weeks before planting out.Needs warm days plus night temperatures of at least 55 degrees.Needs moist, well drained and fertile soil.Avoid planting where tomatoes, peppers, and/or potatoes have grown if blight and verticillium have been problems.Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, cutworms.Varieties - ‘Round Mauve’, ‘Prosperosa’, ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Rosa Bianca’, ‘Pingtung Long’

LeekContainer: Not recommended, but can be grown in pot with minimum depth of 8”; deeper for larger stalks.Needs fertile soil and regular water.Start from seed in spring 4 weeks before last frost or use transplants in fall.As plants grow, mound soil around base so bottoms turn white.Watch for thrips; not normallly bothered by diseases.Varieties - ‘American Flag’, ‘Giant Musselburgh’, ‘King Richard’, ‘Lancelot’, ‘Lincoln’

PepperContainer: At least 16” wide and 8” deep.Choose sweet or hot peppers.Needs nightime temperatures of 55 degrees.Needs regular water and fertile soil.Watch for aphids and whiteflies.Varieties - ‘Early Sunsation’, ‘Rosso d’Asti’, ‘Shishito’, ‘California Wonder’, ‘Ancho’, ‘Anaheim’ , ‘Jimmy Nardello’, ‘Habanero’, and many more

PotatoContainer: Half barrel.Prefers well drained, evenly moist, fertile soil.Choose from russet, white, yellow, blue, red and fingerling types.Usually planted in spring, but can be planted every month from mid-March until mid-August for continuous harvest.Potatoes develop between where first piece is planted and the top of the soil. Mound soil up as tops grow, so plant produces more.Stop watering after leaves have turned brown.Watch for aphids, beetles, cutworms, snails and slugs.Varieties - ‘All Blue’, ‘Caribe’, ‘Desiree’, ‘Yukon Gold’, ‘Burbank’, ‘Kennebec’, ‘Norland’

ShallotContainer: 8” deep.Usually grown from cloves, but seeds are available.Prefers well drained soil and regular fertilizer.Plant cloves 2-4 weeks before last spring frost date.Plant clove with pointed end up.Watch for wireworms, thrips, rust and mildew.Varieties - ‘Prisma’, ‘Ambition’, ‘French Red’, ‘Grey Griselle’

SquashContainer: Minimum 10” deep container for bush types.Prefers fertile, well drained soil with regular water.Choose summer or winter varieties.Plant summer squash from April to July.Plant winter squash May to June to harvest late summer or fall.Start seed indoors 2 weeks before last frost date or sow directly after soil temperature is at least 55 degrees.Avoid overhead watering which can promote disease.Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, wilt, mildew.Varieties - ‘Tri-color’, ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Sunburst’, ‘Yellow Crookneck’, “Waltham Butternut’, ‘Delicata’, ‘Sweet Meat’, ‘Buttercup’

TomatoContainer: Half barrel for beef steak indeterminates; 14” wide and 12” deep for determinate cherry types.When planting starts, remove two lowest sets of leaves and plant deeply, so remaining leaves are just above soil level.Needs consistent water - avoid overhead spray. Watch for whiteflies - use yellow sticky trap. Hand pick caterpillars, hornworms.Varieties ‘Big Rainbow’, ‘Black from Tula’, ‘Brandywine’, ‘Cherokee Purple’, ‘Green Zebra’, ‘Huge Lemon Oxheart’, ‘Sun Gold’, ‘Better Boy’, ‘Delicious’, ‘Stupice’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘Early Girl’, ‘San Marzano’ and hundreds more

* Only includes information from vegetables on the planting plan; does not include information on vegetables planted in other parts of the garden.

Underlined varieties are planted in Sandy’s garden.If no variety is underlined for a particular vegetable, the variety is unknown.

Planting Plan Information for Vegetables in Sandy’s Garden* Bloomin’ Backyards 2012

Prepared by the Master Gardener Food Gardening Specialists - May, 2012

Planting Plan Information for Heirloom Vegetables in Lida’s Garden

Prepared by the Master Gardener Food Gardening Specialists – May, 2012

Bean Container: At least 8” wide and deep. Prefers loose, well drained soil; needs good air circulation. Needs consistently moist soil through growing season. Choose pole or bush types. Choose fresh eating or dry shelling types. Direct sow seed after soil has warmed to 60 degrees. Provide additional fertilizer when pods start to form. Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles. Varieties – ‘Contender’, ‘Kentucky Wonder’, ‘Blue Lake’, ‘Musica’, ‘Jacob’s Cattle’, ‘Cherokee Trail of Tears’, ‘Vermont Cranberry’, ‘Cannellini’ Beet Container: 12-18” wide x 8” deep. Eat thinnings; leaves are edible. Keep soil evenly moist; use mulch. Begin harvest when roots are 1” wide, but no wider than 3”. Watch for slugs, snails and leaf miners. Varieties – ‘Golden’, ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Bull’s Blood’, ‘Early Wonder Tall Top’ Cucumber Container: Minimum 12” wide x 12” deep. Use bush types for containers. For vining types, provide tomato cage or trellis for support. Needs ample water when flowering and bearing fruit to prevent bitter taste. Watch for slugs and snails. Use row covers to protect from cucumber beetles Varieties – ‘Suyo Long’, ‘Lemon’, for pickling ‘Alibi’, for small spaces ‘Fanfare’, for slicing ‘Straight 8’ and ‘Marketmore 76’ Squash Container: Minimum 10” deep container for bush types. Prefers fertile, well drained soil with regular water. Choose summer or winter varieties. Plant summer squash from April to July. Plant winter squash May to June to harvest late summer, fall. Start seed indoors 2 weeks before last frost date or sow directly after soil temperature is at least 55 degrees. Avoid overhead watering, which can promote disease. Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, wilt, mildew. Varieties – ‘Waltham Butternut’, ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Sunburst’, ‘Yellow Crookneck’, ‘Delicata’, ‘Sweet Meat’, ‘Buttercup’

Tomato Container: Half barrel for large indeterminate tomatoes; 14” wide and 12” deep for determinate cherry types. When planting starts, remove two lowest sets of leaves and plant deeply, so remaining leaves are just above soil level. Needs consistent water - avoid overhead spray. Watch for whiteflies - use yellow sticky trap. Hand pick caterpillars, hornworms. Varieties – ‘Amish Paste’, ‘Beefsteak’, ‘Gold Medal’, ‘Pink Oxheart’, ‘Riesentraube’, ‘Sungold’, ‘Better Boy’, ‘Delicious’, ‘Brandywine’, ‘Stupice’, ‘Green Zebra’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘Early Girl’, ‘San Marzano’ and hundreds more Herbs Good for containers; keep picked to control size in small areas. Basil - 12” spacing; needs warmth, regular water, good drainage. Varieties - ‘Genovese’, ‘Sweet Basil’, ‘Lemon’, ‘Purple Ruffles’ Chives - 8-12” spacing; needs good drainage, regular water. Varieties - Common, Garlic, ‘Nelly’ Parsley - 12-18” spacing; needs fertile soil, consistent water. Varieties - ‘Italian’, ‘Forest Green’ Seed Sources Lida’s garden showcases heirloom vegetable varieties. Seeds were obtained from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Petaluma; seedless blackberries and some herbs were purchased at the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market. Additional seed sources are listed in the Sonoma County Master Gardener publication “Vegetable Seed Sources”. (http://ucanr.org/sites/scmg/files/29795.pdf). Underlined varieties are planted in Lida’s garden.

BeetContainer: 12-18” wide x 8” deep.Eat thinnings; leaves are edible.Keep soil evenly moist; use mulch.Begin harvest when roots are 1” wide, but no wider than 3”.Watch for slugs, snails and leaf miners.Varieties - ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Bull’s Blood’, ‘Early Wonder Tall Top’

CarrotContainer: 8-14” deep.Keep seed bed moist until seeds sprout; thin to proper spacing.Use row cover to protect from birds before seed germinates. Store in ground until harvest.Begin harvest when roots are between 1/2” to 1” in diameter.Choose variety based on depth of soil.Varieties - ‘Nantes 2’, ‘Danvers’, ‘St.Valery’

CucumberContainer: Minimum 12” wide x 12” deep. Use bush types for containers.For vining types, provide tomato cage or trellis for support.Needs ample water when flowering and bearing fruit to prevent bitter taste.Watch for slugs and snails.Use row covers to protect from cucumber beetles.Varieties - ‘Lemon’, for pickling ‘Alibi’, for small spaces ‘Fanfare’, for slicing ‘Straight 8’ and ‘Marketmore 76’

FennelContainer: 12” deep.Space plants at least 12” apart.Needs fertile, well drained soil with regular water.Used for seeds at top of plant and leaves/bulb at the base.Varieties - ‘Romanesco’, ‘di Parma’, ‘di Firenze’

LettuceContainer: 10-18” wide x 6” deep.Start seed or plant transplants every 3 weeks for continuous crop.For loose leaf types, pick outside leaves when young and tender.Use shade cloth in hot weather or use heat resistant varieties.Watch for aphids, slugs and snails.Varieties - ‘Lolla Rossa’, ‘Black Seeded Simpson’, ‘Outredgeous’, ‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Red Sails’, ‘Rouge d’Hiver’, ‘Forellenschluss’ , “Tom Thumb’, ‘Pirat Butterhead’ and many more

PepperContainer: At least 16” wide and 8” deep.Choose sweet or hot peppers.Needs nighttime temperatures of 55 degrees.Needs regular water and fertile soil.Watch for aphids and whiteflies.Varieties - ‘Padron’, ‘California Wonder’, ‘Ancho’, ‘Anaheim’, ‘Jimmy Nardello’, ‘Habanero’ and many more

RadishContainer: 16” wide and at least 4” deep.Needs good drainage, evenly moist soil; heat makes roots bitter.Watch for cabbage worms and root maggots.Varieties - ‘Cherry Belle’, ‘Early Scarlet Globe’, ‘Easter Egg’

SpinachContainer: 8-12” wide x 8” deep.Can tolerate 16 degrees F.Make sure plants have sufficient nitrogen. Needs ample water.Watch for aphids, leaf miners, slugs and snails. Varieties - ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing’, ‘Olympia’, ‘Giant Winter’

SquashContainer: Minimum 10” deep container for bush types.Prefers fertile, well drained soil with regular water.Choose summer or winter varieties.Plant summer squash from April to July.Plant winter squash May to June for harvest in late summer, fall.Start seed indoors 2 weeks before last frost date or sow directly after soil temperature is at least 55 degrees.Avoid overhead watering which can promote disease.Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, wilt, mildew.Varieties - ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Goldrush’, ‘Ronde de Nice’, ‘Sunburst’, ‘Yellow Crookneck’, “Waltham Butternut’, ‘Delicata’, ‘Sweet Meat’, ‘Buttercup’

Swiss ChardContainer: 12-18” wide x 8” deep.Member of beet family grown for leaves.Needs fertile, evenly moist soil and good drainage.Watch for aphids, leaf miners, slugs and snails. Varieties - ‘Rainbow’, ‘Fordhook Giant’, ‘Rhubarb’

TomatoContainer: Half barrel for beef steak indeterminates; 14” wide and 12” deep for determinate cherry types.When planting starts, remove two lowest sets of leaves and plant deeply, so remaining leaves are just above soil level.Needs consistent water - avoid overhead spray. Watch for whiteflies - use yellow sticky trap. Hand pick caterpillars, hornworms.Varieties - ‘Sun Gold’, ‘Sweet Million’, ‘Better Boy’, ‘Delicious’, ‘Brandywine’, ‘Stupice’, ‘Green Zebra’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘Early Girl’, ‘San Marzano’ and hundreds more

Herbs Good for containers; keep picked to control size in small areas.

Basil - 12” spacing; needs warmth, regular water, good drainageVarieties - ‘Genovese’, ‘Sweet Basil’, ‘Lemon’, ‘Purple Ruffles’

Chives - 8-12” spacing; needs good drainage, regular waterVarieties - Common, Garlic, ‘Nelly’

Parsley - 12-18” spacing; needs fertile soil, consistent water Varieties - ‘Italian’, ‘Forest Green’

Underlined varieties are planted in Alison’s garden.

Planting Plan Information for Vegetables in Alison’s Garden Bloomin’ Backyards 2012

Prepared by the Master Gardener Food Gardening Specialists - May, 2012

ArtichokeContainer: Half barrel.Grown as a perennial.Needs fertile, well drained soil with ample moisture.Start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before last frost.Fertilize every month with high nitrogen fertilizer.Watch for aphids, snails, slugs, earwigs.Varieties - ‘Green Globe’, ‘Imperial Globe’, ‘Violetto’

BeetContainer: 12-18” wide x 8” deep.Eat thinnings; leaves are edible.Keep soil evenly moist; use mulch.Begin harvest when roots are 1” wide, but no wider than 3”.Watch for slugs, snails and leaf miners.Varieties - ‘Chioggia’, ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Bull’s Blood’, ‘Early Wonder Tall Top’

CarrotContainer: 8-14” deep.Keep seed bed moist until seeds sprout; thin to proper spacing.Use row cover to protect from birds before seed germinates. Store in ground until harvest.Begin harvest when roots are between 1/2” to 1” in diameter.Choose variety based on depth of soil.Varieties - ‘Parisienne’, ‘Bolero’, ‘Danvers’, ‘St.Valery’

CucumberContainer: Minimum 12” wide x 12” deep.Use bush types for containers.For vining types, provide tomato cage or trellis for support.Needs ample water when flowering and bearing fruit to prevent bitter taste.Watch for slugs and snails.Use row covers to protect from cucumber beetles.Varieties – ‘Piccolo di Parigi’, ‘Suyo Long’, ‘Lemon’‘Alibi’ for pickling, ‘Fanfare’ for small spaces, ‘Straight 8’ and‘Marketmore 76’ for slicing

EggplantContainer: 16” wide and 12” deep.Start seeds 8 weeks before planting out.Needs warm days plus night temperatures of at least 55 degrees.Needs moist, well drained and fertile soil.Avoid planting where tomatoes, peppers, and/or potatoes have grown if blight and verticillium have been problems.Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, flea beetles, cutworms.Varieties - ‘Rosa Bianca’, ‘Violette di Firenze’, ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Pingtung Long’

FennelContainer: 12” deep.Needs fertile, well drained soil with regular water.Spacing - 12”.Used for seeds at top of plant and leaves/bulb at the base.Varieties - ‘Romanesco’, ‘di Parma’, ‘di Firenze’

GarlicContainer: 12” wide x at least 12” deep.Needs fertile, well drained soil.Choose from soft or hard neck types.Plant in fall for early summer harvest.Plant cloves with pointed end up.Benefits from at least one application of fertilizer midseason.Stop water when leaves turn brown, wait a month, then harvest.Varieties - ‘Spanish Roja’, ‘California Early’, ‘California Late’, ‘Mount Hood’, ‘Bavarian Red’, ‘Deerfield Purple’

LeekContainer: Not recommended, but can be grown in pot with minimum depth of 8”; deeper for larger stalks.Needs fertile soil and regular water.Start from seed in spring 4 weeks before last frost or use transplants in fall.As plants grow, mound soil around base so bottoms turn white.Watch for thrips; not normallly bothered by diseases.Varieties - ‘Primor’, ‘American Flag’, ‘Giant Musselburgh’, ‘King Richard’, ‘Lancelot’, ‘Lincoln’

LettuceContainer: 10-18” wide x 6” deep.Start seed or plant transplants every 3 weeks for continuous crop.For loose leaf types, pick outside leaves when young and tender.Use shade cloth in hot weather or use heat resistant varieties.Watch for aphids, slugs and snails.Varieties - ‘Four Seasons’, ‘Little Gem’, ‘Outredgeous’, ‘Buttercrunch’, ‘Red Sails’, ‘Rouge d’Hiver’, ‘Forellenschluss’, ‘Tom Thumb’, ‘Pirat Butterhead’ and many more

MelonContainer: 18” wide x 18” deep.Needs hot, dry summers; 65 degree soil temperature.Needs lots of organic matter in well drained soil.Plant 3-4 seeds in hills, 3 to 4 feet apart.Can be grown on trellises.Avoid wetting foliage when watering.Benefits from fertilizer every month. Watch for aphids and cucumber beetles.Varieties - ‘Delicious’, ‘Charentais’, ‘Crane’, ‘Hearts of Gold’, ‘Honey Rock’, ‘Moon and Stars’, ‘Sugar Baby’

PepperContainer: At least 16” wide and 8” deep.Choose sweet or hot peppers.Needs nightime temperatures of 55 degrees.Needs regular water and fertile soil.Watch for aphids and whiteflies.Varieties - ‘Gypsy’, ‘Red Bell’, ‘California Wonder’, ‘Ancho’, ‘Anaheim’, ‘Jimmy Nardello’, ‘Habanero’, and many more

Information on Vegetables in Susie’s Garden Bloomin’ Backyards 2012

Prepared by the Master Gardener Food Gardening Specialists - May, 2012

Susie’s Garden continued...

RhubarbContainer: Half barrel.LEAVES are POISONOUS; stalks are edible.Grown as perennial; plant dies back in winter.Prefers cool summers; can be grown in some shade in hot areas.Needs fertile, well drained soil with regular water.Spacing - 3 to 6 feet.Watch for aphids.Varieties - ‘Victoria’, ‘Crimson Red’, ‘Glaskins Perpetual’

SquashContainer: Minimum 10” deep container for bush types.Prefers fertile, well drained soil with regular water.Choose summer or winter varieties.Plant summer squash from April to July.Plant winter squash May to June for harvest late summer, fall.Start seed indoors 2 weeks before last frost date or sow directly after soil temperature is at least 55 degrees.Avoid overhead watering which can promote disease.Watch for aphids, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, wilt, mildew.Varieties - ‘Yellow Crookneck’, ‘Black Beauty’, ‘Sunburst’, “Waltham Butternut’, ‘Delicata’, ‘Sweet Meat’, ‘Buttercup’

Swiss ChardContainer: 12-18” wide x 8” deep.Member of beet family grown for leaves.Needs fertile, evenly moist soil and good drainage.Watch for aphids, leaf miners, slugs and snails. Varieties - ‘Rainbow’, ‘Fordhook Giant’, ‘Rhubarb’

TomatoContainer: Half barrel for beef steak indeterminates; 14” wide and 12” deep for determinate cherry types.When planting starts, remove two lowest sets of leaves and plant deeply, so remaining leaves are just above soil level.Needs consistent water - avoid overhead spray. Watch for whiteflies - use yellow sticky trap. Hand pick caterpillars, hornworms.Varieties ‘Big Rainbow’, ‘Black from Tula’, ‘Celebrity’, ‘Pruden’s Purple’, ‘Sun Gold’, ‘Super Marzano’, ‘Better Boy’, ‘Delicious’, ‘Brandywine’, ‘Stupice’, ‘Early Girl’, and hundreds more

HerbsGood for containers; keep picked to control size in small areas.

Basil - 12” spacing; needs warmth, regular water, good drainageVarieties - ‘Amethyst’, ‘Genovese’, ‘Greek’, ‘Purple Ruffles’, ‘Thai’

Cilantro - 9-12” spacing; needs well drained soil; bolts when hotVarieties - ‘Slo bolt’, ‘Calypso’, ‘Confetti’

Chives - 12” spacing; needs well drained soil, regular waterVarieties - ‘Common’, ‘Garlic’

Oregano - 18” spacing; needs good drainage, requires little waterVarieties - ‘Greek’, ‘Italian’, ‘Sicilian’

Sage - 12-30” spacing; needs good drainage, requires little waterVarieties - ‘Broadleaf ’, ‘Holt’s Mammoth’, ‘Compacta’

Tarragon - 24” spacing; needs good drainage and regular waterVarieties - ‘French’

Underlined varieties are planted in Susie’s Garden.If no variety is underlined for a particular vegetable, the variety is unknown.

Prepared by the Master Gardener Food Gardening Specialists - May, 2012