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California Gardening

Help growing Fall edibles in Berkeley

13 years ago

Greetings gardeners,

I've just move to Berkeley from Oklahoma, and I'm curious what edibles can still be planted in time for fall or even winter harvest. My garden space has copious amounts of clay, but I have space for compost and pots as well. Any suggestions of what to grow and where to purchase the plants/seed?

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Comments (7)

gardenguru1950
13 years ago
For Berkeley...

TO SOW DIRECT IN LATE SUMMER (August-September)

VEGETABLES
Beets
Broad bean (fava)
Carrots
Celeriac
Chard
Chinese Cabbage
Daikon radish
Dandelion
Endive, Chicory
French (green) bean
Kale
Kohlrabi
Leek
Lima bean
Mustard
Onion ("sets")
Parsnip
Potato ("seed potatoes")
Purslane
Radish
Runner bean
Rutabaga
Salsify
Sorrel
Spinach
Summer Squash
Sunflower
Turnips
Tyfon

HERBS

Chervil
Soup/leaf celery
Marjoram
Parsley
Anise

TO SOW DIRECT IN FALL (October-November)

VEGETABLES

Arugula
Beets
Bok Choy
Broad bean (fava)
Carrots
Celeriac
Chard
Chinese broccoli
Chinese Cabbage
Chinese mustard
Collards
Corn salad
Cress
Daikon radish
Dandelion
Endive, Chicory
Fennel ("bulb" type)
Garland chrysanthemum
Kale
Kohlrabi
LambÂs Quarters
Leek
Lettuce, head
Lettuce, loose-leaf
Mustard
Onion ("sets")
Orach
Pak Choy
Parsnip
Potatoes ("seed potatoes")
Pea
Radish
Rutabaga
Salsify
Snow peas
Sorrel
Spinach
Sugar peas
Turnips
Tyfon

HERBS

Chervil
Soup/leaf celery
Cilantro, coriander
Marjoram
Parsley
Anise

TO SOW INDOORS IN LATE SUMMER-EARLY FALL (August-September) FOR TRANSPLANTING TO THE GARDEN IN LATE FALL-EARLY WINTER

VEGETABLES

Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery

Joe
renataka
13 years ago
Hi Berkeley - We're south of you, more towards San Jose, but a similar climate. You'll be pleased to learn that you can grow just about anything during our mild Ca. winters, as evidenced by the laundry list in the previous post.
Depending on where you are in Berkeley, though, your success may vary - are you in the hills? Are you on the flats closer to the bay?
Generally temps don't dip much past 30 and even if they do it's only for a week or two. You should seriously consider planting peas and favas around Halloween time - they won't flower in the cold weather, but maaan do they grow - my sugar snap peas are usually 6' tall by late January, mid Feb. This means when the weather warms in March, I've got huge yields of peas almost immediately.

I've also had luck growing chard and kale in the middle of winter, albeit slowly. And I highly highly recommend broccoli raabe in January or February.

Two places you should talk to: Renee's Garden Seeds is in the Santa Cruz mtns, southwest of you. They have terrific seeds (wonderful varieties and high germination rates). Their staff answers email promptly and should be able to point you towards a good selection if you tell them where you are. And you are fortunate to be close to Annie's Annuals in Richmond. Their place is worth a field trip. Mostly non-edibles, but a huge variety of unusual plants that do well in your area, including lots of natives.
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elvie z9CA
13 years ago
If you need a source of local free horse manure to build up your soil, there are stables near the steam trains in Tilden Park, Berkeley. Its self serve, you can just pull right up to the pile, so bring a shovel. I save old garden soil bags, or load in in boxes or large 15 gallon cans or bring Berkeley recycling tubs... And a couple of sheets to lay down in the car.
lucia_ca
13 years ago
Welcome!

While you wait for your goodies to grow, get acquainted with the Berkeley Bowl...a plethora of fruit/veg varieties at decent prices.

If you want to meet fellow gardeners, check out CRFG's golden gate chapter.

---lucia in coco county
dicot
13 years ago
I'd think a little about pest control in the wet months too and if you'll be organic or not. Bt if you grow cole crops, Sluggo for snails/slugs around leafy crops, soap for aphids, and mulch removal & wet newspaper traps for earwigs & woodlice are my recommendations. The only way I know to beat the clay is mix it with fully composted organic matter in raised beds (even slightly) for tilth.
jpfletcher
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks to all for the help. I've just moved from Oklahoma where we've had heat in the mid 100s for the past month. I know this summer is particularly cool, but what is a good watering pattern here?

I've planted rows of lettuce, bok choy, collards, peas, and spinach. I have carrots, beets, and brussels sprouts in pots.
deep___roots
13 years ago
I second the fava bean suggestion. Sow as late as November. Easy, nice looking, improves your soil, and in March you will have fava beans to eat. I'm pretty sure Rennee's Seeds has these. I get my seeds at The Common Ground (a garden store in Palo Alto) and just a measuring cup of seeds will give you a bountiful yield.

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