On November 4th, the RCG conducted a food giveaway with our “season end” harvests and the beginning of our cool weather crops. Kale, carrots and radishes were just beginning to flourish and were provided as part of the giveaway. Watermelon, longevity spinach, tomatoes, peppers, basil and sweet potatoes were harvested to avoid losing the harvest due to frost as the cooler temperatures at night are causing them to die back.
Our anticipated frost date for zone 9 is November 5th. Now is the time to plant the cool weather crops to support fall/winter gardening and cool weather growth.
Our spotlight plant of the month is Longevity Spinach, also known as Gynura procumbens. Longevity Spinach, pictured in the pots to the right, is an edible plant that provides a host of health benefits along with being a ground cover, once established. Longevity Spinach grows outside during the summer and grows well during the extreme heat. During the winter, they can be kept as houseplants and harvested on demand to continue with the beneficial aspects of the plant throughout the winter. Consuming ten to fifteen leaves a day is recommended for good health Health benefits of consuming longevity spinach include treating kidney problems, rheumatism, constipation, hypertension, and diabetes.
If planted in the ground and left outside, the plant will die back during the winter and grow back from roots during the spring. The Longevity Spinach plant is a perennial in zone 9. and grows well from cuttings.
Our open hours are 9-11 on Saturdays. Please stop by to visit and pick through and plants that are ready for harvest or get seedlings to plant in your own garden. We are currently growing seedlings for fall planting.
To contribute to the RCG, scan the QR code for Instagram or Venmo to donate.
Also, woodchips are still available to the community through the garden to assist with water retention in the soil and protect roots and worms. Contact us on Facebook to find out where to pick up.
Zen out, Ridgecrest :-)