In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen

The days and nights are cool now. Lately, a shroud of fog enfolds the neighborhood overnight and the garden plants drip with water until midday. Bright sun emerges and crops like the cauliflower thrive.

With more time and attention to the garden, I grew my cauliflower from seed this year. I transplanted six each of purple ‘Graffiti’, white ‘Amazing’ and ‘Veronica’ Romanesco to an area four by six feet, spacing them 12 inches apart. Their exposure this time of year would be described as partial sun since sun does not reach them until about noon and fades by 4:30 p.m. They had a good start in mid-October and soil well-amended with compost helps.

The arugula planted in the raised bed also prefers the cool fall days. I snip the baby leaves as I have need in the kitchen or to share with friends. Now that I am harvesting, it’s time to plant another row to keep the arugula coming on.

We picked the remaining ‘Dorsett Golden’ apples recently. Though small, they’ll be transformed to a Pear, Apple and Cranberry Crisp for Thanksgiving.

The apple recipes folder is back in the drawer and I’ll be looking for some of my favorite ways to use arugula and tangerines.

With overnight temperatures from 45-52 degrees F. the tangerines and oranges take on color and the fruit sweetens. Yesterday I sat on a step at the entrance to the garden where I always eat the first tangerine of the season. It was sweet and juicy just as I recall from my childhood and last season.

‘Ruby Streaks’ mustard seed survived composting and showed up in some of my raised beds. I culled most to avoid competition with my veggies but I let some grow to about six inches and then pull them for use in salads or saute.

I’m delighted our strawberry guava season seems perpetual this year. There are blossoms now and guavas in all sizes. I gather about a half dozen guavas an inch across every day. Two friends readily accept any extras. My favorite way to eat them is just off the tree when they’re warm from the sun.

Mexican marigolds from the street side garden brighten the front porch but will soon be replaced with Christmas greens.

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

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