Clockwise from top left : Rich Mead , executive chef and owner of Farmhouse at Roger ’ s Gardens ; farmers market produce used by Farmhouse ; Kyle Cheesborough , horticulture director at Sherman Library & Gardens ; artichokes growing at Sherman Gardens |
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and growing things and wanting to eat them ,” Smith explains . “ A lot of people say , ‘ My kids won ’ t eat tomatoes ,’ but if they grow that tomato with you , they ’ re going to be a lot more willing to eat it , because they ’ ve invested the time and emotion into it .”
POPULAR PRODUCE One of the most crucial decisions you ’ ll make when planting a produce garden is which fruits or vegetables to plant . “ Here in Orange County , we are in [ USDA Plant Hardiness ] Zone 10B , which allows for a good amount of variety ,” Roy notes . With such diversity at our fingertips , you ’ ll really want to examine which types of produce would be most beneficial to your cooking style . “ I would encourage people to plant what they like to eat ,” she adds .
Some items that grow best locally include lettuce , tomatoes , peppers , artichokes and fresh
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herbs . “ They thrive well in the Southern California climate and offer a variety of flavors for culinary use ,” reveals Rich Mead , executive chef and owner of Farmhouse at Roger ’ s Gardens .
Cheesborough agrees , adding that , in addition to leafy greens , broccoli , cabbage , snap peas and certain beans flourish in Orange County , providing a higher yield than warm season vegetables , and that trees suited to a Mediterranean climate , like olives or avocados , also do well here .
For Roy , who has a large garden at her Huntington Beach home as well as a small culinary space within the botanical garden , there have been advances in the development of fruit trees that allow them to thrive locally . “ I have had great success with stone fruits and apple trees that are specifically lowchill varieties ,” she notes . “ My favorite variety that I have growing right now is my August Pride peach tree . It requires less than 300 chill hours and does
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beautifully in my coastal California backyard .” Unique plants tend to catch her attention on a regular basis . She also has nine different citrus trees , ranging from kaffir lime to Valencia orange , as well as a nectarine tree , passion fruit vine , 14 raised beds for seasonal produce and eight additional planters for herbs and shade plants . “ In my own garden , I plant with the seasons and , most importantly , I plant things that excite me to cook ,” Roy says . “ I look for interesting varieties that you cannot find everywhere to expand my repertoire .”
Still other options include strawberries , melons , squash , beets , carrots , cucumbers and peas , but one thing you may not have considered that Smith especially enjoys growing are edible flowers , including pansies , violas , marigolds and nasturtiums . “ I love having flowers in the garden that I can throw onto a salad or [ incorporate ] if I ’ m baking something or [ add to ] a cocktail ,” she reveals .
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : JOHN GILHOOLEY ; COURTESY OF FARMHOUSE AT ROGER ’ S GARDENS ; TIM CHADD ; COURTESY OF SHERMAN LIBRARY & GARDENS |
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