In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen

Though the calendar is a few weeks shy of spring, my garden has declared the season is here. The first artichokes nudge me to that conclusion. Rhubarb will follow and asparagus was on this list until the apricot tree roots overpowered the twenty year old asparagus plot.

All the fruit trees are blooming. It is a glorious time even as the bounty of the winter garden continues—beets, carrots, celery, kale, spring onions, broccoli, spinach, arugula and various lettuces. The herbs surge with vibrant growth and strawberries have blossoms.

Three medium-size heads of broccoli were ready for harvest last week. This was a second planting of six in December. They may not throw side shoots this late in the season and I’ll likely need the space for summer crops. I removed the monstrous purple sprouting broccoli plant a few days ago. Read So Long Purple Sprouting Broccoli for a poignant recounting of my PSB experiences.

These ‘Bolero’ Nantes carrots are sweet with perfect crisp-tender texture and no hard core. I’ve grown them for twenty years and am never disappointed. This fall the germination of this French carrot was excellent and I’ve thinned at various stages. Read more at Renee’s Garden.

The ‘Tango’ celery was exceptional this year. Cool weather and frequent rains keep it crisp and sweet.

Two little neighbors hold some lettuce gifts.

Lots of lettuce to share with neighbors and here one of my favorites. Merveille De Quatre Saisons is a centuries old French heirloom bibb lettuce that performs well in my winter garden.

An assortment of lettuce makes some fabulous salads.

All from the garden with addition of dried cherries and a fig balsamic dressing.

Bouquets have a spring feel now. Today I counted seven small bouquets around the house. The downstairs smells of freesia and sweet peas. My soul is cheered.

You may enjoy seeing what other garden bloggers harvested last week at Harvest Monday hosted by Dave at Our Happy Acres.