Master Gardeners, January 24

Baby it’s cold outside! 

The UCCE/LA County Master Gardeners return to the Mar Vista Farmers Market this Sunday, January 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,to hand out free seeds and seedlings for your soon-to-be bursting garden. But the little seedlings that the Master Gardeners planted are SO small (as this is being written) that they’re not sure whether they’ll be ready for primetime.

What was planted includes: 

Portuguese Kale, a large leaf heat tolerant variety from Portugal.

Scarlet Charlotte Chard, with wide crunchy stalks (don’t throw them out!) and gorgeous leafy veins in deep green leaves.

Neon Glow Chard — another yummy variety.

Slow Bolt Cilantro, which is bright, fresh and won’t go straight to seed at the first sign of sun or heat.

Heirloom Tuscan Baby Leaf Kale — just like the big boys, only smaller. It’s a “cut and come again” leafy green. 

Baby Pak Choi — perfect for your stir fry
Heirloom Broccoli Raab (aka Early Rapini)

And lettuces, including Garden Fern Leaf Lettuce, Sea of Red, Heirloom Cutting Mix Lettuce and a “Farmers Market Blend” of sweet greens and reds.

Last but not least — lovely crispy Sugar Snap Peas, the chunky ones you eat, pods and all. 

Two things to remember:

Please bring your empty plastic six packs so the Master Gardeners can continue to fill them for you next month.

And if you DO grow something that you got from the Master Gardeners, share it on social media with the hashtag #mglaseeds. They’re trying to start a little mini-movement!

For a great gardening website and email newsletter visit http://www.gardeninginla.net where Yvonne Savio, the retired director of the MG program, treats you to monthly tips for your SoCal garden.