Fall/Winter Fruits, Veggies & Herbs
Grow Your Own Vegetable Garden
Plants for your vegetable garden are arriving daily...
Do you love the idea of planting your own fresh vegetable garden? You don't have to have a garden to do it; you can grow a vegetable garden on your deck or patio or in a yard of any size.
At SummerWinds Nursery, we've got all the tools and tricks of the trade you need to help you grow your very own delicious fall/winter vegetable garden or herb garden.
In the Valley of the Sun, cool season vegetables are arriving in-store now...
Below are some of our favorite cool-season vegetables that you can find seasonally at SummerWinds Nursery.
Beets
Beets are a great source of vitamins and minerals and a tasty addition to salads, soups and more. These colorful root vegetables can help lower your blood pressure, prevent disease, improve your brain and heart health, as well as increase your overall endurance, stamina, energy levels and much more...
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/beets.html
Bok Choy
Known also as pak choi or pok choi, bok choy is a type of Chinese cabbage. Bok choy is ranked among the top nutrient-rich plant foods and is a fabulous source of vitamins A, C and K, in addition to providing modest amounts of folate, vitamin B6 and calcium. Bok choy is staple in Asian soups and stir-fries.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bok_choy
Broccoli
Broccoli is among our most favorite vegetables. The three most commonly grown types of broccoli are:
- Calabrese Broccoli (a) - This heirloom favorite is dark bluish-green with central heads that are approx. 5 inches across.
- Sprouting Broccoli (b) - Commonly known as broccoli raab/rabe and rapini, sprouting broccoli has many florets instead of a single head. Can be eaten raw or steamed, sauteed or boiled.
- Purple Cauliflower (c) - Shaped like a cauliflower, this type of broccoli consists of tiny flower buds that sometimes have a purple cast to the flower bud's tips.
Some of SummerWinds' favorite broccoli varieties include: Marathon, Premium Crop, Purple Sprouting, Waltham, Belstar, Di Cicco, Sessantina Grossa and more...
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broccoli and https://www.growingproduce.com/vegetables/12-top-performing-broccoli-varieties/#Tinsel/66706/1
Carrots
There are numerous health benefits to eating carrots, whether eaten raw or cooked. They included improved vision, disease prevention, healthier skin, slowing down the aging process and more...
Did you know, there are over 100 species of carrots? From the orange carrots you likely grew up with to rainbow colored carrots (orange, purple, white, yellow and red), we have a variety of carrots to choose from at SummerWinds.
Source: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-benefits-of-carrots.html
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is one of the most widely used vegetables in recipes and it's no wonder! Cauliflower is considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Cauliflower is an excellent source of antioxidants due to its high levels of health-promoting phytochemicals and anti-inflammatory compounds. It can also help prevent diseases such as heart and brain disease and cancer. It is often used as a tasty way to watch your weight.
There are hundreds of varieties of cauliflower worldwide, including these colorful ones:
- Cheddar (a) - This orange hybrid variety has 25 times the beta carotene as regular white cauliflower and its orange color brightens during cooking.
- Purple of Sicily (b) - This purple heirloom variety has exceptional flavor, is insect resistant and nutritious. Large 2-3 pound heads turn a striking green color when cooked. It has a sweet flavor rich in minerals.
- Romanesco (c) - This green heirloom variety has its roots in both the cauliflower and broccoli families. Made up of small spiral swirls (of fractal shapes and Fibonacci sequences) that combine to form one large spiral head. Excellent raw or cooked.
- Snowball Y (d) - This easy-to-grow white heirloom variety boasts a sweet, nutty flavor and delicate texture.
Sources: https://draxe.com/cauliflower/ and http://www.grownfromtheheart.com/what-im-growing/winter-vegetable-varieties/cauliflower-varieties/
Kale
Kale is one of the Valley's favorite vegetables and who can blame us for loving this high-nutrient, delicious leafy green? To learn more about kale, including growing recommendations and details about our favorite kale varieties (curly kale, dwarf blue curled kale, lacinato/dinosaur/Toscano kale and purple kale), click the button below:
Herbs
Herbs can be one of the easiest and most fulfilling things you can grow in your tasty garden. Fresh herbs make a great addition to drinks, salads and cooked dishes. Or, dry them and enjoy their scents throughout your house in saches or dried bouquets. Enjoy essential oils, make some straight from your own herb garden!
Click the button below to: explore a wide variety of herbs, get recommendations on how to grow them, and to learn about herb-themed gardens (medicinal, culinary, wildlife, aromatherapy and tea).
(Herbs pictured: mint, French lavender, rue and borage.)
Lavender
There are two different types of lavender—ornamental and culinary. There are numerous varieties of edible lavender, including some of these favorites:
- English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis or Lavandula vera) - This fragrant rich variety is a culinary favorite for use in beverages, desserts, savory dishes and meats. (Shown right - a.)
- Hidcote lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote') - This lavender has both a wonderful aroma and a richly fruity flavor from deeper violet-blue blooms.(Shown right - b.)
- Munstead lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead') - This great smelling and tasting lavender variety boasts traditional purple flowers and an herbal, floral flavor. (Shown right - c.)
- Rosea English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Rosea') - This pink flowering variety has a mild, candy-like flavor. (Shown right - d.)
- White Ice lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'White Ice') - This white-ish lavender variety has a mild, candy reminiscent flavor. (Shown right - e.)
- Lavandins (Lavandula x intermedia) - These hybrids of English lavender offer intensely intricate flavors. Varieties include Grosso lavender (Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'), Provence lavender (Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence') and more... (Grosso lavender shown right - f.)
Source: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/herbs/culinary-lavender
Grow Your Favorite Fruits
A Variety of Fruits
Do you enjoy the taste of fresh fruit—whether eaten raw or added as an ingredient in your favorite dish or drink? Fruit trees can be a beautiful, tasty and nutritious addition to your edible garden. At SummerWinds Nursery, we have a number of fruit tree varieties to choose from—available seasonally while supplies last.
Tomatoes
Early tomatoes will be in-store in early February. Now is a great time to start planning and preparing for your Tasty Garden!
To discover the joys of growing your own tomatoes, check out our blog by clicking the button below.
Raised Garden Beds
Raised garden beds are one of the best ways to grow your own tasty garden. You can build them from a variety of materials and at any dimensions you'd like.
To learn more about raised garden beds, including their benefits, different types of raised garden beds, and recommendations for height, access, location, soil and planting. Plus, check out our video - How to Plant a Raised Bed Garden.
To get the most out of your fall/winter garden harvest, visit your local SummerWinds Nursery and let our Trusted Garden Advisors help you select the best vegetables and the right time to plant. Available while supplies last.
