Hardwear Sessions

by Victor Ichioka

There is nothing quite like eating fresh produce out of a home garden. You can pick crops at the peak of their readiness and eat them with the confidence of knowing their exact growing history; you get the possibility of both culinary and health benefits. For people who are fortunate enough to live in temperate zones like the San Francisco Bay Area, these pleasures can be extended into the winter months.

While you can't expect bushels of tomatoes and corn during the winter, there are a surprising number of crops that can be grown at this time. The first important group is leafy greens, both for the salad bowl and steamer/wok. Crops like lettuce, endive, arugula, radicchio, mustard, kale, chard, collard greens, bok choy, and spinach all do fine in a winter garden. A second important group is root vegetables - carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, and the like. Other possible crops include snap peas, and garlic. This last doesn't get harvested until it warms up a bit, typically mid spring.

Another category for winter growing is a cover crop. For those areas in your garden that grow high-nutrient-demand plants during the regular season, like tomatoes or potatoes, it's a good idea to plant something in the off season that will add nutrients back into the soil. Typically a cover crop will be from the legume family, plants that grab nitrogen from the atmosphere and incorporate it into their tissues. I grow both fava beans and a commercial mix containing peas, vetch, and a bunch of other nitrogen-fixing species. The idea is to raise the plants until just before they make seed and then dig them into the soil.

A key to enjoying a steady food supply is to plant in stages. I start my plants from seed, and I try to have a set of seedlings ready to put in the ground every month. That means beginning in the fall and continuing diligently through the seasons. While plants grow more slowly in the winter, once you get your successive planting schedule established, you'll be able to enjoy a steady parade of fresh food to your table.

For crops that will thrive in your area, check with a local nursery or gardening club. Happy growing and happy eating.