Toadflax is a good choice for homes and landscaping because it germinates and self-sows reliably and blooms with multi-colored flowers that resemble miniature snapdragons.




Photograph by Shari Kaplan







Plant vegetables now, enjoy a productive harvest later

By Tony Tomeo

I do not particularly enjoy canning in the summer, because the weather is warm and the last thing I want to do is spend most of a weekend over the stove. However, we try to plant an abundance of certain vegetables about now for that purpose.

Of course, there are never too many tomatoes in our garden. Only one or two plants of an "eating" cultivar is usually sufficient for large, fresh tomatoes. The dozen or more Roma tomatoes produce some fruit that is eaten fresh, but most is grown for sauce to be canned for use when fresh tomatoes are not available.

Vegetables that are normally planted all at the same time should include extra plants to supply for any canning planned for later. Some garden enthusiasts prefer to grow some vegetables exclusively for canning or pickling. For example, most of the cucumbers in our garden are pickled. Likewise, all of the jalepeño peppers are pickled because I do not like them fresh and crunchy (ick!).

I also normally plant an abundance of beets and cabbage but did not get to it in time this year. There is too much sauerkraut left from autumn anyway. I may still try some late beets. An appropriate surplus quantity of vegetables normally planted in phases to extend availability may be planted all at once so that they are ready to be canned at the same time. Some may prefer to plant in phases, however, to can in minimal batches.

Most gardens that contain herbs usually produce more than can be used fresh. Fortunately, many herbs are easily preserved by drying and some are actually preferred dried for particular applications.

Again, there are two events that I will discuss in detail later, but they should be mentioned this week so that those interested can plan accordingly. Spring in Guadalupe Gardens will be April 27 and the American Rose Society's 2002 Spring National Convention will be April 27 and 28.

This Friday and Saturday, the Foothill Garden Club will be conducting its annual plant sale. This sale features Carl Nelson's tomato plants and a broad selection of herbs, as well as a diverse selection of unique foliar and floral ornamental species. The sale will be open on April 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on April 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at the Los Altos Rancho Shopping Center on Foothill Expressway in Los Altos.

The Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program for the Bay Area also starts this Saturday. The Open Days Directory is available in most bookstores for $15.95 ($10.95 for members). Directories may be ordered by mail (with an additional $4.50 for shipping and handling) from The Garden Conservancy, P.O. Box 219, Cold Spring, NY, 10516; or by telephone at 888.842.2442. Additional directories are available for $1.50. More information is available at www.gardenconservancy.org.

The Open Days Directory describes all the private gardens throughout the Bay Area and the country that the Garden Conservancy has arranged to be open to the public during their respective Open Days. Admission to each garden is $5. Discount tickets are available in advance. No reservations are necessary.

The Garden Conservancy was organized in 1989 to preserve exceptional private gardens and facilitate enjoyment of these gardens by the public. Currently, 453 private gardens in 26 states are open to the public during Open Days.

Flower of the Week: Toadflax

Toadflax, Linaria maroccana, is considered a summer annual, but it may be seen in bloom in early spring or any other time it wants to get noticed. It grows so reliably from seed that purchasing small plants in cell packs is not practical. Toadflax seed is often included in flower seed mixes. After other flowers from the original mix have disappeared, Toadflax may continue to seed itself for a few years. Toadflax is attractive in small quantities among other flowering annuals and perennials in unrefined gardens, but is most impressive in abundance because individual plants are so delicate.

Full sun exposure or part shade and rich, well-drained soil are preferred. Foliage is very narrow and delicate. Plants are usually less than a foot tall. Dwarf varieties are considerably shorter. The flowers resemble very small snapdragons and have a color range of pale yellow, yellow, orange, red, rose, pink, blue and various shades of purple. Most flowers are two different shades and many are two different colors.

---

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.

---

Sheriff's Report

Commentary: Science projects can be extraordinary, if not too tasty

Photo: Daffodils at Saratoga Elementary School

Local Home Sales Listings

Obituary: Ruth Henry

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

High school softball

High school baseball

High school track & field

Sports fundraisers and camps