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Learning to grow winter vegetables

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook is paradise for the seasoned gardener and the ideal place to learn for a novice. Chuck and Mary Jo Bacik moved to Fallbrook with little experience in growing their own fruits and vegetables. Joining the Fallbrook Garden Club, they participated in study groups and attended monthly meetings, and took advantage of free seminars hosted by local farm and garden supplier, Grangettos.

After a few successes and an equal number of flops, they have found the way to enjoy freshly harvested fruits and vegetables all year long. "Eating seasonally makes every harvest feel like you have brought home a long lost friend, and makes eating 'local' more than just a marketing phrase," Mary Jo said.

With headlines often warning of the latest e coli or salmonella outbreak, and the definition of "organic" constantly questioned, knowing where your fresh foods are grown makes even more sense, she added.

Fallbrook residents are fortunate to be able to purchase plants, trees and seeds from numerous local businesses, and there is no shortage in help and expertise. The Bacik's selected the majority of their trees from Maddock's Nursery and purchase most of their annual seasonal veggies and seeds at Grangettos.

Rain water is a blessing to any gardener and winter vegetables thrive with Fallbrook's seasonal water. The Bacik's added four 50 gallon rain barrels to their watering system last year, capturing as much rain water as possible during each winter storm. The rain barrels were acquired through a SoCal Water$mart Residential Rebate program facilitated by FPUD.

For more information on rain barrel rebates, visit http://www.socalwatersmart.com/?page_id=2973.

 

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