California Fruit & Vegetable Gardening, 2nd Edition: Plant, Grow, and Harvest the Best Edibles for California Gardens (Fruit & Vegetable Gardening Guides)

Starting at the Beginning with Seeds

Given the choice between buying seedlings in six-packs or 4-inch pots or starting the plants myself from seed, I’ll almost always choose the latter. There are a lot of advantages to growing from seed, but the most obvious one is cost. Seeds are by far the most inexpensive way to grow. In addition, with seeds you’ll have a much wider range of plant varieties from which to choose, including interesting heirloom varieties that you will never find in the stores. And I’ve often found that plants I’ve grown from seed in my garden become better established than transplanted seedlings from the nursery.

But the truth is I just love planting seeds and watching them grow. It is fascinating to watch the seedlings emerge, then unfold their true leaves and reach for the light. Many people seem to think that growing plants from seed is complicated, but for most vegetables and herbs, it is really quite simple. It’s just a matter of creating the right environment for the seedlings to start their lives.

PESTS & DISEASES

This is the part of the book that’s similar to those long lists of potential side effects that you get with prescription medicines. The unfortunate truth is that the same wonderful climate that we Californians enjoy that makes growing food so easy also makes a welcome environment for many pests and diseases.

Many of them are more of a nuisance than a serious threat, but there are a few bugs and diseases that can be extremely damaging and difficult to eradicate or even control, particularly if you’re trying to avoid toxic chemicals. In most cases, however, there are simple steps that will keep your plants’ defenses up and their enemies at bay.

FRUITS, HERBS, NUTS & VEGETABLES

When choosing which edibles to grow in your garden, consider more than just what you like to eat. There are the practical issues of space, sun exposure, hardiness zone, and timing.

But there are other questions to ask yourself. What commercially grown fruits and vegetables are high on the contaminated foods list, carrying significant amounts of pesticides and herbicides? What fruits or vegetables have had food safety issues, such as E. coli or salmonella contamination? What fruits or vegetables would cost more to buy in the store than to grow at home? What fruits or vegetables have greater varieties available to home growers? What retains more nutrition or simply tastes a whole lot better when grown in your own garden? (The answer to that last question: Almost everything!)

Here are the rules:

1. Start with a few favorites.
2. See what flourishes in your garden.
3. Try something new.
4. Enjoy your bounty!