Welcome to the California Garden in May! In today’s episode, we’ll take a closer look at all the bountiful harvests we’ve enjoyed this month. Join us for a tour of our garden, and we’ll also share some important gardening tasks for you to consider. Let’s dive in!

Harvests

Harvests:

We began our harvests with some lovely cabbage. We grew cabbage in containers and raised beds, and the first few harvests came from our containers. Even in smaller containers, you can grow delicious cabbage, like our Early Golden Acre variety.

Cabbage

Next up, cauliflower. Although traditionally a cool-season crop, cauliflower can thrive year-round in Southern California. Our purple variety is particularly striking and packed with antioxidants.

Cauliflower

We also had a bountiful crop of green onions, perfect for adding flavor to our dishes. Don’t forget to harvest the stems, as they’re nutrient-rich.

Green Onions

Chickpeas (or black gram) provided us with delicious edible pods. Harvest them when the pods are green, and remember to cook them before enjoying them.

Chickpeas

Our Meyer lemon tree produced some large, sweet lemons. They’re perfect for lemonades and cooking.

Meyer Lemons

Hyacinth beans turned into a monster plant in our garden. We harvested the edible pods, but remember to cook them before eating.

Hyacinth Beans

We started harvesting peppers, including Cajun Bell and Sweet Banana varieties. Peppers can be grilled or roasted for a delightful taste.

Peppers

Pigeon peas are like the source of lentils. We harvested fresh pods and dried ones for storage.

Pigeon Peas

Potatoes were a success in our raised beds. Yukon Gold and red potatoes provided a great harvest.

Potatoes

Finally, we enjoyed a rich tomato harvest, including Bush Roma and various single stem tomato varieties.

Tomatoes

Garden Tour:

Our garden tour took us through our raised beds and containers, showcasing a wide variety of vegetables and herbs. From onions, okra, and beans to asparagus, peppers, and kale, our garden was thriving.

We even had some unique plants like turmeric, bitter melon, and galangal. Ivy gourd and snake gourd vines climbed trellises, while eggplants and single-stem tomatoes flourished in containers.

Things To Do:

Add Nutrients: After your spring harvests, replenish your soil with nutrients. Start by adding worm castings, which are rich in humic acid and fantastic for plant growth. Water them in thoroughly.

Use High-Quality Potting Mix: Invest in a good-quality organic potting mix to enhance soil structure and moisture retention. Avoid raised bed mixes that may not be as effective.

Compost Your Garden Waste: Consider composting your garden waste and kitchen scraps. A tumbling composter can turn your waste into nutrient-rich compost quickly.

Fertilize Your Plants: Use organic, water-soluble fertilizers like AgroThrive to nourish your plants. Dilute and apply to both the foliage and the soil.

Try Worm Tea: Worm tea is an excellent addition to your garden routine. It provides essential nutrients to your plants and boosts their health. Consider using products like Vermisterra worm tea or Protocol Vitality for exceptional results.

Keep an Eye on Your Garden: Regularly monitor your garden for any signs of pests, disease, or other issues. Promptly address any problems to ensure your plants stay healthy.

Enjoy Your Harvest: Don’t forget to savor the fruits of your labor! Cook up delicious dishes using your homegrown produce and share the joy of gardening with friends and family.

Watch the video here 6 Tips for Preparing Your Garden for June – A California Gardening May Episode 

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Thanks for joining us on this blog of the California Garden. If you found this helpful, please give it a thumbs up. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below. Happy gardening!