The Gardens of Palo Alto

I was in Palo Alto, California the last week of March & was impressed by the high number of yards with no grass, the beautiful natural grass landscaping and front-yard vegetable gardens, and the many public gardens! Here are some photos, many of which are of the Elisabeth Gamble Garden or the Rinconada Community Garden next to the public library. Some are of front yards as I walked around town.



If it inspires you to move to California and start growing things, there are a ton of great resources including 52 Weeks in the California Garden by Robert Smaus. The Rinconada Public Library next to the community garden had many beautiful gardening books and a sale shelf with a few gardening books for cheap.

First Potato Harvest 2014

I have been pulling greens, peas, and radishes out of the garden for some time, but today I pulled out my first potatoes of the season: a few Colorado Rose and a few All-Blue. I also have French Fingerlings planted but did not find any yet and didn't want to dig too much if they aren't ready. I'm boiling the potatoes I found for an oil and vinegar salad for lunch tomorrow. They look so pretty in the pot!

I also pulled out another pound of raspberries. I'm having trouble keeping up with those and will probably have to start making jam soon. 

the last of the season's tomatoes

FYI, the book in the corner is the Organic Farming Manual by Anne Larking Hansen.

The Elusive Western Artichoke

I have lived in the Western United States for over seven years and this is the first season that I have gotten both artichokes and eggplant. It's so dry here, and the nights are cool. Is it the floating row covers? Or some other miracle? Amazing.