Celeriac is one of those crops that absolutely reflects the soil you grow it in. After years of growing cool-season vegetables in Sonoma Valley—always aiming for smooth, full-sized roots—I’ve learned that soil preparation makes the biggest difference. Celeriac won’t push a large, flavorful bulb unless the soil is loose, consistently fertile, and slightly acidic to…
Rutabaga is one of those crops that rewards good soil and site preparation more than almost anything else in the cool-season garden. After growing rutabaga for many years in Sonoma Valley’s mild fall and winter climate, I’ve learned that the right spot and soil structure determine whether you get large, sweet, dense roots—or small, woody,…
Celeriac is a long-season, cool-weather crop, and in my experience, planting at the right time makes all the difference between small, woody roots and big, tender, flavorful ones. After years of growing celeriac in Sonoma Valley—and speaking with gardeners in a wide range of climates—I’ve learned that timing is less about the calendar and more…
Parsnips are a cool-weather root crop that reward patience. In my Sonoma Valley garden—where I grow year-round in raised beds and mounded rows—I’ve learned that parsnips succeed best when planted at just the right moment. Timing influences everything: germination, root development, and flavor. Here’s how to choose the right planting window wherever you garden. Parsnips…
Celeriac is slow to germinate and even slower to size up, so starting it indoors has always given me the strongest, most reliable harvests. After decades of raising cool-season crops in Sonoma Valley, I’ve learned that celeriac seedlings need steadiness—steady warmth, steady moisture, and steady light. Give them that, and they’ll transplant beautifully into the…
Healthy, straight, sweet parsnips begin with the soil. After growing root crops in Sonoma Valley for decades—mostly in raised beds and mounded rows—I’ve learned that soil prep is the single biggest factor that determines whether your parsnips grow long and smooth or short and forked. Here’s how to build the ideal parsnip bed before sowing….
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