Bay Meadows

Bay Meadows residents celebrated the grand opening of Persimmon Park – the raised bed community gardens – in style the weekend of August 16th, 2014. Families were planting seedlings, sharing gardening tips and learning tricks of the trade from Homestead Design Collective. Everyone shared a delicious meal and refreshing beverages at Paddock Park’s communal table as the steel drum trio entertained the community throughout the sunny afternoon.

Homestead Design Collective hosts a garden class called DIG IT on the first Saturday of (nearly) every month at Bay Meadows – open to all of San Mateo. Mike from HDC shares some great advice to get our hands dirty! Haven’t met Mike? Meet Mike here or be sure to RSVP for an upcoming DIG IT event to learn in person.

What Can I Plant At This Time of Year?
Although August is the time of year when we start to see all of our favorite summer vegetables (think tomatoes, eggplants, beans, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers) at the grocery store and farmers’ markets, those veggies needed to be planted in the spring. Fortunately, we live in the Bay Area where we can grow throughout the year and there are many great fall and winter veggies that can be planted right now. You can plant a wide variety of greens, including lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, collards, spinach, arugula, spicy mustards, bok choi, and pak choi. You can also plant celery, onions, radishes, beets, and a favorite for kids and adults alike – peas! Leave room, too, for your favorite herbs (thyme, sage, oregano, etc.) and edible flowers (nasturtiums, violas, and calendula). Always to grow what you love to eat, but leave a bit of space for experimentation or something new!

Where Can I Buy Vegetable and Herb Starts and Seeds?
Golden Nursery – 1122 2nd Ave, San Mateo
Whole Foods – 1010 Park Place, San Mateo
Wegman’s Nursery – 492 Woodside Drive, Redwood City (15 minute drive from Bay Meadows)

Mike, Bay Meadows Resident Gardener encourages you to buy organic starts and seeds, but don’t worry if you can’t find them. What’s really important is treating the plants organically once they’re in the ground!

Suggested Gardening Books and Websites

Books
Golden Gate Gardening – Pamela Peirce. The so-called “Bible” for growing food in the Bay Area – great for beginner and advanced gardeners alike!
Western Garden Book of Edibles – Sunset Magazine Editors. A great overview of how to grow and maintain veggies in California.
Vegetable Literacy – Deborah Madison. With stunning photos and recipes, gives useful information on how to grow, harvest, and cook with all your favorite veggies.

Blogs
You Grow Girl – Growing tips with an emphasis on how to use your harvest in the kitchen and home.
Grow Organic Gardening Videos – Some of the best instructional videos on the web!
SF Gate Home and Gardening – A great source of information for all your basic (and not-so-basic!) gardening and cooking questions.
Dave’s Garden – Can be a little overwhelming with the amount of detail given, but an excellent resource for every gardening question imaginable.
Star Apple Edible + Fine Gardening – Keep up to date with all of Star Apple’s projects and events!

Strike a pose while digging in the garden or using your farm fresh ingredients in your kitchens! As we develop community, we want to see how you live and play at Bay Meadows. Share your fun lifestyle photos with our community by using #baymeadowslife.

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