Emerging green bean

This I planted late in the season so we'll call this an experiment. The soil I prepared well with worm castings from my worm bin and a bit of my favorite organic fertilizer. The seeds, saved from last year's crop, were soaked overnight in water and then tucked into the ground about an inch deep. I was happy to see the seedlings emerge a week later. I covered these seedlings with something that I got from the discount store, I think they were a buck a piece. They work well against the birds but not so well against the bazillion slugs and snails. Yes, the hungry hordes still inhabit my garden despite the Sluggo that I now use. How tenuous is the life of seedlings here in my garden plot. We'll see whether these guys are still around tomorrow.

Foraging in my garden for lunch

Sometimes, it is just wild arugula and purslane, along with the tomatoes. Oh, yes, and I add mozzarella cheese, all mixed with extra virgin olive oil and a bit of balsamic. This is enough for a small happy lunch.

An abundance of Sungold cherry tomatoes

Some days, there is simply an abundance of Sungold cherry tomatoes. This was one of those days. Half were given to the local Boys and Girls club where they were made into tomato caprese skewers. The other half stayed with me, the tomatoes which split. They were cut in half, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, and slow-roasted in the oven for several hours. 200 F.

First eggplant

I spied my first eggplant, it's calyx and stalk accompanied with some gnarly spikes. Even thought it is in the same family as the tomato and potato, Solanaceae, the eggplant appears to have figured out it needed extra protection.

Foraging in my garden for purslane

Purslane grows wild in my garden. I don't know how it first found my garden plot but now it shows up every summer, growing in between my planted veggies as a self-determined companion plant. It seems to do well without much water. A perfect visitor.

I am now a big purslane fan and find it amusing I can now forage in my own plot. It comes from the family Portulacaceae, Genus Portulaca, species oleracea. In my garden, it is self-seeding and appears around July.

Of note, purslane contains more omega-3 than any other leafy veggie, thus cementing its status as the most perfect visitor. Wikipedia on purslane:

Purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid in particular[4]) than any other leafy vegetable plant. Research published by Simopoulos states that Purslane has 0.01 mg/g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This is an extraordinary amount of EPA for a land-based vegetable source. EPA is an Omega-3 fatty acid found mostly in fish, some algae, and flax seeds.[5] It also contains vitamins (mainly vitamin A, vitamin C, and some vitamin B and carotenoids), as well as dietary minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron. Also present are two types of betalain alkaloid pigments, the reddish betacyanins (visible in the coloration of the stems) and the yellow betaxanthins (noticeable in the flowers and in the slight yellowish cast of the leaves). Both of these pigment types are potent antioxidants and have been found to have antimutagenic properties in laboratory studies.[6] 100 Grams of fresh purslane leaves (about 1 cup) contain 300 to 400 mg of alpha-linolenic acid.[7] One cup of cooked leaves contains 90 mg of calcium, 561 mg of potassium, and more than 2,000 IUs of vitamin A.

The article also notes when collected early in the morning, it can be tangier due to something called CAM, which is an alternate type of metabolism that purslane turns to in arid conditions.

I am still trying to figure out recipes so if you have a favorite, please leave it in my comments. I eat it raw in yogurt but my favorite way, so far, is to saute it with lots of garlic and extra virgin olive oil and have it taco style or with rice.

Eggplant flower

I have forgotten what type of eggplant this is but I loved how this flower seems to light up in the morning. Very similar to the tomato and eggplant flower, which makes perfect sense, as they are all in the same family, Solanaceae. I am not sure if this is late in the season to transplant this but I will give it a go. At least it is flowering. We are enjoying unseasonably warm weather. Normally we are socked in with all-day coastal fog in the middle of summer where we are, one block from the beach.

Potato plant flowering

I came upon the potato flowers early in the morning, lit up by the sun rising. I really don't know what the ant is doing on it but I have ants all over my plot so this is par for the course.

Lately, I plant potatoes in containers. This plant is now flowering, which does not always happen, and I don't know why. In the past, I have used 15 gallon containers for potatoes, and it is quite the mystery to me why I have not had good luck with that size. Since downgrading to a smaller size container, I have found the plants to be much happier. They grow tall and overflow the container.

This flower reminds me of its relation to tomatoes and eggplants as they are all in the same family, Solanaceae.

Sungold ripening one block from the beach

I have good news and bad news about Sungold cherry tomato. The good news about Sungold is that the Sungold is a major overachiever. They produce large clusters of tomatoes, and this they continue from the beginning of summer to the end. Sungold does well here, one block from the beach. And the bad news about Sungold is simply that I can not save their seed since it is a hybrid.

the summertime boysenberry growth

We are in the middle of gorgeous weather with blue skies and moderate humidity. We just had the remnant of a tropical storm pass through a few days prior. It dropped enough rain to dirty the cars but we still have a bit of humidity in the air. This morning, when I got to my plot, I noticed how the boysenberry bush is working overtime, putting out canes for next year, resulting in this piling of the green. These canes will be the ones to bear fruit next year. In the meantime, one of the tasks on my list is to hunt down this year's canes, which bore this year's fruits, and to cut them back. Good luck, as they are buried somewhere underneath the newer branches.

tomato conversation

Last year, I had a tomato elf and a Jimmy Durante tomato. This year, no elves but I do have these guys. What do you think they are saying?

first pineapple tomato ripens one block from the beach

My first Pineapple tomato begins to ripen, one block from the beach. I harvested it today because it hovers too close to the ground for my comfort. And now that it is almost perfectly ripe, I did not want it snagged by the opposum (yes, you!) who visits our garden plots at night. I'm thrilled with the progress of this tomato because it simply does not do well in our cool coastal climate. After three years, this tomato is the first I have grown. It seems Pineapple develops later than the others I am growing, and there are definitely fewer tomatoes per plant.

At home, it continues to darken with orange tints. The seeds will be carefully saved for next year.

it's alive!

I was generously gifted with a pair of precious coastal concord grape cuttings by two dear fellow community gardeners a few months ago. Their much admired coastal concord grapes grow extremely well here one block from the beach, resulting in many pounds of grapes for them each year.

I stuck the cuttings in the ground with the very best of intentions. The leaves eventually fell off, and for several months, I carefully watered a pair of sticks faithfully. I wondered if I would have to go off to a garden center in search of coastal concord grape cuttings for next year. I wondered if I would own up to admitting the cuttings dropped all their leaves, and the leaves never grew back. Today, I saw there are leaves and buds bursting off the end of one stick. Glory be. I gratefully postpone that trip to the garden center.

tomatoes one block from the beach

Selected tomatoes from my harvest today. This Momotaro looks simply gorgeous. This year, I have only planted four varieties: Black Krim, Momotaro, Sungold, and Pineapple. I planted seeds the end of January this season. I nurtured them inside on a east facing window and then later I acclimated them on my balcony throughout our colder months.

Momotaro, a hybrid, and Black Krim, a Russian heirloom, do well here one block from the beach. However, Black Krim has peaked. I only have a few left while Momotaro is probably close to its peak. Looking below, the center one is Black Krim. Notes to me for next year: plant more Black Krim. I crave Black Krim's smoky and slight salty taste. These I can eat as is, like an apple. They are best, in my opinion, sliced, drizzled with a good extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with a good salt.

The Pineapple Tomato comes from a tomato I bought at the local Farmers' Market a few years ago. I saved the seeds. The last two years, they did not do well at all. They are not well-adapted to growing next to the beach. This year, we have had sunnier and warmer days. This will be the first year I have tomatoes.This one is just beginning to show its true color, which is yellow with orange mottling throughout.

The Sungold is a hybrid. I have only one plant, as it tends to be an overachiever.

matilija poppies and coastal sequoia

We are lucky the Santa Monica Mountains edge Los Angeles, and there are easy ways to get a quick hike in nature without driving far. On the weekends, however, it can be like Disneyland at times in terms of crowds on the easier hiking trails.

It was foggy and overcast in the morning, a perfect day for a hike, in my opinion. But the clouds melted away very early, leaving blue sky. Either way, foggy or blue, both are good excuses for a hike. Today, I find the Matilija poppies are still in bloom and as photographic as ever. I puzzled over the water drops. Are they dew drops? We haven't had rain in the last 24 hours.

The coastal sequoia planted near the hiking trail show new growth as light green against a dark background. Unfortunately, these shots do not do justice to spurt of new growth on the tips of the branches.

I purposefully did not take photos of the kazillion hikers on the trail, thus leaving the illusion of being out communing with solitary nature.

after a light summer rain

While I don't love how my car looks after a light rain, it does wonders for my garden.

I love how the hollyhocks pick up the light on a cloudy day. Yes, I know it's due to the UV rays which cause the pigments to flouresce but who cares about the technical reasons. Family Malvaceae, Genus Alcea

I did not have the heart to pull this weed out. I don't know what it except it is likely a Mallow in the family Malvaceae.

Likewise, the squash flowers luminesce as well. To be honest, these were volunteers. I understand that this is risky as seeds do not run true. I believe these are likely to be Japanese squash, kabocha.

So unusual to get rain in the summer in southern California.

local hike in the santa monica mountains

There be flowers blooming though these are native plants placed by either the state park or the local conservancy along the hiking trail. I love how the setting sun highlights these Matilija poppies. Family: Papaveraceae, Genus: Romneya. These perennial tree poppies are good for drought tolerant plantings. I was told these can be difficult to start but once they take, they grow like mad. My neighbors call them the eggs sunny side up flower.

These cute furry tips are likely to be the seed pod.

These flannelbush plants, now flowering, were also planted by the state park or local conservancy. Family: Malvaceae, Genus: Fremontodentron. Needless to say, these native plants are also great for water conserving gardens.

Amazingly enough, there is still running water, albeit algae-ridden, at the top of the hiking trail. It is still shady and green along parts of this hike.

my potatoes in pots

I am finding better luck growing potatoes in 5-10 gallon size pots. These are smaller than the 15 gallon pots I had been using with mostly poor results. It may be that we are too cold and foggy, here by the beach.

I add a layer of good organic potting soil in the bottom of the pot then add the potatoes. These are Yukon gold. I moundup as they grow taller. I harvest after the plants die. I like to wait as long as possible though I worry I may get cited for unsightliness.

Funny, with veggie gardening, the esthetics take last place at times.

Here, you'll see the blackberry vines forming a wall behind the potatoes. In the foreground, there is a solitary hollyhock, which I allow to grow wild in my plot.

My late summer tomatoes: pineapple

Several years ago, I spied a gorgeous yellow mottled with orange beefsteak tomato at the local farmer's market. It's name was Pineapple, and, naturally, after buying it, I saved its seeds. It turned out, quite frankly, to NOT be a cool weather tolerant type which meant it would be a challenge to grow here in my garden one block from the beach. In the last two years, they did not well. They grew tall, gangly and spindly, bearing few fruits which never ripened, with the leaves spotted with mildew.

I wanted to keep trying. This year, I started seeds in February rather than March. I planted the seedlings in the sunniest warmest corner of my garden.

And there be fruits! I noted these don't yield as much as my hybrids and they aren't as far along as the others. But I'll have late summer tomatoes this year barring a catastrophe. The seeds will be saved again for future years.