Master Gardeners, February 6

On Sunday, February 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., swing by the Green Tent at Mar Vista Farmers Market when the UC/CE LA County Master Gardeners return with lots of lovely green gifts: free seedlings and free seeds!

This month they’ve lovingly grown the following plants and herbs (from seed) for you:

Cilantro — love it or hate it, it’s a unique plant whose leaves AND seeds can be used as herbs or spices! The seed pod becomes coriander, and you can use it whole or grind it to add a piquant flavor to whatever you’re cooking or eating. 

There’s a few parsley plants — the flat leaf Italian kind. 

Broccoli Raab — It looks like broccoli but it’s related to turnips!!  It is a cruciferous vegetable, alongside broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. The long, slender stalk is light green and topped with large darker green leaves intermixed with small buds that look like broccoli florets. While it's more similar in appearance to broccoli or broccolini, it's botanically closer to turnips and the taste is more like mustard or turnip greens.

Shelling peas — these plants are SO TALL right now, they’re just BEGGING for a place in your garden! 

Also in the legume family, they’ll share some fabulous FAVA Beans with you! These versatile beans are not only delicious, but they help fix nitrogen in your soil.

Nasturtiums are both pretty AND edible — put a little goat cheese and balsamic together with them for a unique appetizer. Or top a salad with them! 

And it wouldn’t be spring without some salad greens — there are plenty of mixed lettuce varieties to share!

And on the menu: ARTICHOKES!!! You can eat them, of course, with a decadent butter or mayonnaise sauce, or use their gorgeous flowers as table decorations or in a vase!

Wondering what to do in the garden this month? Click here for a great, easy-to-follow guide for February in LA County gardens.