In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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December 4, 2007

Raised garden in winter

Q: We just built a raised garden. What vegetables can be planted in Dec/Jan/Feb? In the past I have raised summer veggies only so need your help.
Kay Barry, Sacramento

A: There's still time to plant bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, radishes, all sorts of lettuce, onions and garlic. Garlic is an especially satisfying crop--trouble free and easy. Just plant the cloves and let it grow until next June.

Check your local nursery or garden center for starter plants for crops like broccoli and cauliflower since it's too late to start them from seed. Nurseries will offer onions in sets or seedlings. Cool weather crops like peas, spinach and lettuce can still be started from seed.

I also like to sprinkle in a few flowers to dress up the vegetable bed. You can plant calendulas, primrose, pansies and snapdragons now.

A good idea is to browse through the nursery or garden center and see what’s available. I always find vegetables to try I’ve never grown before.

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