| | Published April 28th, 2010
| Gardening with Cynthia Brian: MIXED GREENS
| |  | | Down the brick road flanked with azaleas Photos Cynthia Brian
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Full disclosure. I seek beauty in all things. I crave a myriad of colors and textures. I'm a determined gardener and a resolute foodie. Lush, gorgeous, fresh produce direct from the earth was a staple growing up on the farm. I don't remember perusing the super markets for greens. My Italian Swiss mother was a fabulous cook who could make a gourmet meal from what appeared to be nothing. Of course, she was an avid gardener and our vegetable patch spread across at least an acre. Year round we savored edibles plucked from the plot.
We grew up having "green fingers," which many people call "green thumbs." The fact is that we could all communicate with the earth transferring love and appreciation to living organisms. I was taught that if I wanted my garden to grow, or anything for that matter, love was the essential ingredient. A verdant heart produces a bountiful harvest. All the book learning in the world can't make up for the education we receive by putting our hands in the dirt.
With my pledge of "Read, Plant, Grow," my challenge for you this month is to mix your greens. Whether you decide to plant food or flowers, take more consideration with form, textures, and colors. You spent the winter reading about gardening, now the climate is perfect to get out outside to plant. First you need good soil. Extract any weeds that are currently growing. For new beds, specifically raised beds, it's always a good idea to bring in new topsoil and fresh compost. In our clay soils, I like to mix in some sand to help with drainage. Turn the dirt and dig it well. When you are satisfied with the quality of your soil, it's time to select seeds and plant.
Are you a person who peppers your culinary productions with the flavors of herbs? Wouldn't it be delightful if you grew your own? You can. Ask yourself what flavors you enjoy most, then set out to plant the species. Like flowers, different herbs have different growing requirements. For example, sweet basil is an annual that demands rich, moist soil to thrive. Oregano on the other hand is a perennial that does best is dry conditions. It's a great herb where water conservation is encouraged. A few herbs that I cannot live without, both annual and perennial include Italian parsley, cilantro, sage, basil, fennel, thyme, lavender, chives, mint, dill, and tarragon. These eleven staples provide my kitchen with a plethora of seasoning for every meal.
Seeds will sprout soon on these easy to grow vegetables when you water regularly while providing at least 6 hours of sunshine per day.
Arugula: Space seeds about an inch apart and 1/4 to 1/2 deep. You'll start harvesting within 30 days.
Radishes, Carrots, and Beets: Spacing of seeds and depth is the same as arugula but plan on 60 days to maturity.
Lettuce: My favorite way to plant lettuces for a continual harvest is to dig a bed that is approximately twelve feet long. Then I sow about three feet of seeds each week for four weeks, which gives me a supply of lettuce all season long.
Parsley: A great herb that seeds itself providing you with breath freshening ingredients all year long.
Plant a few seeds in a container near the kitchen as well as in your herb garden. Clip often to encourage growth.
Perhaps you are not interesting in growing your own vegetables or herbs, but instead want a cutting garden. If you aren't sure how to mix your greens, order pre-designed gardens on-line or from garden magazines. They save you time, but don't always believe your garden will look like the advertisements. Take into account our climate, zone, and soil conditions. Annuals are terrific for cutting as are long blooming perennials. Consider planting zinnias, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, cosmos, nicotiana, snapdragon, sunflower, lavender, and celosia.
BUG OUT
Keep the insects out of the garden by planting herbs and flowers that repel bugs. Aphids detest the smell of marigolds, while other pests despise coriander, chives, lavender, and mint. Even deer prefer to stay away from mint patches. Beware of mint, though, as it is invasive and can easily take over your garden.
By spending time in your garden now mixing your greens, you'll be assured a summer of love. What time is dinner?
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 | | A perfect bed of mixed greens
|  | | Hedge of purple wisteria |
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The State Flower, California Poppies populate the garden Photos Cynthia Brian
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Cynthiaís Digging Deep Gardening Guide for May
“Live close to the earth and clear down to your heart.” Lao Tse
May is the month for honoring our Mothers and celebrating the
rapturous glory of spring. The hills are alive with wild flowers.
California poppies and lupines are in abundance. Purple wisteria
and night blooming jasmine perfume the air. Strawberries are
ripe and luscious. After the down pours of a wet April, nature
stretches for the sunshine as a rainbow of color carpets our
flowerbeds. Beauty is everywhere. It is time to toss our salad of living
and mix our greens with love. Get outside and exercise a bit of
gardening guise. Let’s play this May.
• PROTECT marigold, broccoli, and tomato transplants from
cutworms by cutting six- inch strips of newspaper that are
three inches wide and wrapping stems about two inches
below the soil line.
• PLANT a cutting flower garden with easy-to-grow annuals
such as asters, larspur, zinnia, coreopsis, cosmos, and sunflowers.
• DEADHEAD spent blossoms from any annuals or perennials to encourage continuous blooming.
• ELIMINATE any standing water from gutters, pot saucers, old tires, or puddles to reduce breeding of mosquitoes.
• MULCH your garden with grass clippings, chopped leaves, and other organic composts to reduce weeds.
• PLAN now for summer and fall vegetable plantings. By staggering the sowing times, you’ll reap a longer
and fuller harvest.
• CONTROL moles in your lawn by making a repellent with oil of castor beans. Moles hate the smell.
Note that castor beans are extremely poisonous to humans.
• MOW the tops off leggy ground covers such as Vinca Major or ivy, fertilize, and water to stimulate new growth.
• SOW annuals now in a rich soil mixture. Marigolds, cosmos, zinnias, and bachelor buttons are excellent
choices for a showy summer.
• CHECK for ticks after gardening to prevent transmitting Lyme Disease. Wash your clothes and hair with
hot water to eliminate any lingering travelers who may bite in the night.
• INCREASE your levels of iron, calcium, vitamin A and C by picking tendrils of dandelions to add to your cuisine.
• SPRUCE up your patio to prepare for entertaining. Power-wash hard surfaces and get ready to celebrate a
Mother’s Day picnic.
• VISIT the Be the Star You Are!® charity booths at the Moraga Faire in Rheem on May 8 for FREE seeds and
planting fun for the kids, courtesy of OSH.
• CARPET your beds by planting creeping phlox. Does
great in sunny locations or rock beds producing fragrant
pink, white, or blue flowers matting to a two -foot diameter.
• SHOWER your mother with love this Mother’s Day
and thank her for growing you.
Become a foodie. Grow your own. Mix it up. Find beauty
in all things. Make no excuses. Grab life and live fully.
Make every day a May day.
Happy Gardening to You! |
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| Luscious homegrown strawberries |  |
| Smell the fragrance of the jasmine |
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| Cynthia Brian with her baby chicks, ducks, and geese |
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Happy Gardening to You!
Cynthia Brian
PO Box 422
Moraga, Ca. 94556
925-377-STAR
cynthia@star-style.com
www.GardeningwithCynthia.com
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA