Plan Your Italian Garden!
Homegrown is alright with me.
It’s never too early to plan a garden, and these days, with all the info on the Internet and all the mail order catalogs there is plenty to sift through. In just a few weeks it will be time to actually plant. Now is the time to do a little research.
Sure, if you are not in Italy, then you do not have the exact microclimate to grow a particular Italian vegetable or fruit. You do not have Italy’s indigenous soil either. But I am not going to quibble, and I am not going to let the purists stop me from growing my own, and neither should you. What greater joy is there than to walk into the garden with an empty trug and return to the kitchen, the trug brimming with fruits and vegetables grown with one’s own two hands, one’s own sweat and toil.
Don’t miss the thrill of seeing the tiny sprouting plants lift the dark, rich soil. Garden projects will bring your family together, putting everyone to work for the common good and teaching kids about where their food comes from and just what it takes to produce it. For those of us who want to grow Italian, the choices multiply every year with sources from the exotic to the everyday. Many vegetables that just a few years ago were solely the province of Italy are popping up in restaurants and on home tables everywhere. Read Ciao Chow Linda on Agretti and DomenicaCooks on Puntarelle for a taste of Italy’s unique harvest.
For a selection of vegetables and melons from A to Z, look to Seeds from Italy. They sell Franchi seeds, Italy’s oldest family-owned seed company. None of the seeds sold are GMO. From artichokes and arugula, to more than thirty varieties of beans, plus beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, fennel and numerous types of radicchio, the catalog is an Italophile’s delight. Also available are specialty and gift items, such as gloves, garden shears, soaps, tea towels and flowers. The Nagengast family operates the business from their small farm, and they take enormous pride in what they produce. Visit their website at GrowItalian and sign up for their monthly newsletter and request a catalog.
Look to Goodwin Creek Gardens for a wide selection of herbs, lavender, flowers and plants. I have ordered from this family run company in southwestern Oregon for decades. With an utterly astounding array of plant materials – over seventy varieties of lavender alone, over twenty each of rosemary and thyme, some creeping, some upright and some trailing, this is an herb gardener’s paradise. Tarragon, sage, marjoram, oregano, milk thistle, and mint are here too, as are multiple varieties of geraniums (pelargonium) for those of you who make scented jellies. Visit their site and request a catalog.
Cross Country Nurseries in Rosemont, New Jersey has 500 varieties of chiles and sweet peppers. Beautiful, big and blocky Quadrato d’Asti peppers (both red and yellow), sweet Friggitello, and Piccante Calabrese are here along with hundreds of other varieties. There are more tomatoes here than you could possibly plant, 180 varieties, including some of my favorites, such as San Marzano Redorta, Costoluto Fiorentino, Principe Borghese and Costoluto Genovese. Their eggplant selection includes Italian varieties such as purple streaked Listada di Gandia, dark purple Lunga Violetta, and the pinkish Rosa Bianca. The catalog is an education in itself with plants sorted by characteristics such as shape and size, season, country of origin, and in the case of the peppers, by heat. Visit and request a catalog at their website, ChilePlants.
The Natural Gardening Company is the oldest certified organic nursery in the United States, and they offer a dazzling array of Italian seedlings and seeds, herbs, melons, peppers and tomatoes. They even have Jimmy Nardello’s Italian frying pepper. This pepper hails from the Italian region of Basilicata and is on the United States Slow Food Ark of Taste list of endangered local foods. You will also find Carmello tomatoes, a worthy addition to any garden. Don’t miss Juliet, one of my all-time favorite tomatoes. There are Italian onions galore. From small flat Bianca di Maggio to Italy’s famed Red Tropea, you’ll find myriad uses for these beauties. Visit the site and order a catalog, and you’ll be on your way.
Is there a Tomatomania! near you? This is the ultimate pop-up store. Each Spring at these weekend sales you will find thousands of plants, along with assorted herbs, garden equipment and educational materials. Click here to see me at Tomatomania! 2012. Visit Tomatomania! for event schedules and to order online.
I cannot neglect the classic Italian herb Nepitella, and neither should you. This cross between oregano and mint is a must for any Italian kitchen. If you are not familiar with it, read about it here. It is not widely available, however Valley Seed Company sells packets of seeds.
And lastly, if like me, you enjoy Italian citrus, Four Winds Growers in California has what you need. They’ve been growing dwarf citrus since 1950. There was a time when blood orange and Mediterranean lemon trees were unavailable in the U.S. Thankfully those days are behind us. Four Winds Growers offers the deep red Moro and Sanguinelli blood orange trees and the lighter fleshed Tarocco. All are wonderful trees that produce plenty of fruit. Somewhat newer to North American nurseries are the Mediterranean lemons, Villafranca, Genoa, and Santa Teresa Feminello. You’ll never want for Italian lemons again. Visit Four Winds Growers for more info on growing and selecting these wonderful fruits.
Order a few catalogs and get ready to collect Nature’s bounty this summer. Plant a few trees for a lifetime of glorious Italian style fruit. Most of all, get outside, and enjoy time spent in the garden.
For further reading on ideas for your Italian garden and what to do with all you grow, I recommend:
My Italian Garden: More than 125 Seasonal Recipes from a Garden Inspired by Italy
by Viana La Place
Paperback: 272 pages
Clarkson Potter (May 8, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0767918258
ISBN-13: 978-0767918251
The Glorious Vegetables of Italy
by Domenica Marchetti
Hardcover: 272 pages
Chronicle Books (August 20, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1452108862
ISBN-13: 978-1452108865
I have no affiliation with any product, manufacturer, or site mentioned in this article.
Tuesday, February 11th 2014 at 6:59 pm |
Great post! You’re so right that we need to start planning our garden. It’s still cold and snowy, but that won’t last. Great seeds sources! I knew a couple of them, but not most of them. I always enjoy learning about new suppliers. Really fun read — thanks so much.
Tuesday, February 11th 2014 at 7:48 pm |
Hi John,
I am so glad you enjoyed this. There are so many wonderful and truly dedicated nurserymen out there. It’s a pleasure to write about them. Enjoy your garden!
Tuesday, February 11th 2014 at 7:29 pm |
I used to have a really big vegetable garden and it was so relaxing to work in the raised beds, tossing snacks (or slugs) to the chickens. I’m in a different place now and everything is landscaped beds so my ‘garden’ is nearly all in pots. Anyone who wishes to grow their own food can do so, it’s just a bit more work. 🙂
Tuesday, February 11th 2014 at 7:49 pm |
Hi Maureen,
It is relaxing, isn’t it? The time always flies by. And I agree with you about pots. A little more work, but it can be a very successful method. Thanks for stopping by!
Tuesday, February 11th 2014 at 8:54 pm |
What perfect timing! I was just perusing some seeds for sale at the local grocery store and thinking about what I will want to plant this year. I’ll check out these seed stores online now thanks to you!
Tuesday, February 11th 2014 at 9:57 pm |
Hi Pam,
Excellent! I love it when things work out right. Best of luck with your garden, and I hope you post lots of shots!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 1:06 am |
Dear Adri, what a fabulous post – it is so important to plant a garden (if you can) or even grow tomatoes and herbs in pots! I love the picture of the seed catalogues and the fact that you packed so much important and useful information into your post!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 7:27 am |
Hi Andrea,
Thanks-I enjoy gardening. I am just amazed at how many brilliant resources there are out there. Enjoy your garden!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 6:28 am |
What great resources! Rumour has it that spring begins in 5 weeks…with all the snow and cold here, it’s hard to imagine but looking at all these gardening sites is like a ray of sunshine!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 7:31 am |
Hi Laney,
This year it seems that Winter has been hard on everyone but us Californians. We’re in short sleeves here, but take heart. Spring will surely arrive. We have severe drought conditions to contend with, and have been asked by the state to reduce water consumption by 20%. This has forced me to seriously rethink my gardening, and will pose some challenges for summer gardening practices.
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 10:05 am |
First of all thanks for the shout-out. I got my catalogue from Seeds From Italy and will place my order soon. Last year I planted nepitella seeds from the place you mentioned, and I had no luck whatsoever. I don’t know what I did wrong, but I’ll try again this year, after reading so much good stuff on your blog about the herb – and after hiking in Abruzzo with 525 sheep through fields of the stuff.
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 10:49 am |
Hi Linda,
It’s my pleasure to share. I can’t wait to hear what you plant. I hope you have better luck with the Nepitella this year. It sure does smell good, and I just can’t imagine what it was like tramping through it with the sheep!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 11:05 am |
A very informative gardening post, Adri. Thanks for sharing!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 11:29 am |
Hi Angie,
It’s my pleasure! Plant Italian!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 11:20 am |
In Italy my garden is too hot and dry most of the year, and in Denmark it’s too cold. But I suppose puntarella can grow in most places.
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 11:30 am |
Hi Mette,
You really do face challenges with the seasons of the year in your two countries. I bet Puntarella would be a good choice for you. I hope you give it a try.
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 5:21 pm |
What a great post! and very educational for me because I never knew we could actually get seeds from Italy and plant our own vegetables. OMG this is so wonderful, even though I don’t have a vegetable garden, I will share this post to family and friends who do! Thank you Adri- Bravo!!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 6:13 pm |
Hello you two,
I am so pleased that you have found this of interest. Many things grow beautifully in pots, if space is an issue. Enjoy and spread the garden love!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 8:13 pm |
Very informative Adri, in fact Tony and I enjoyed reading it together after dinner tonight, he’s the gardener, I just tell him what to plant! Your post makes me look forward to spring even more.
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 9:11 pm |
Hi Marie,
I am glad to hear this. Give that man some catalogs! I can’ wait to see your garden pix!
Wednesday, February 12th 2014 at 10:54 pm |
My gardens are so full of wildlife that I sadly can’t have a vegetable garden. I have rabbits galore, and deer that eat almost everything and other critters. The only thing I was able to keep alive last summer were some herbs I planted in pots and kept close to my house on stands so the rabbits could not reach them. I was happy to have fresh basil and rosemary, but I missed having fresh tomatoes and peppers like I grew in pots in NYC!
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 6:41 am |
Hi Pat,
Life has its trade-offs, doesn’t it? I see in your glorious photographs that you are surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty and grandeur, but along with the beauty come the critters. I am glad to hear you are able to keep your herbs, however. Gardening is such a joy, no matter what the scale.
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 6:00 am |
Oh, I wish I had a garden! Lovely vegetables…
Cheers,
Rosa
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 6:43 am |
Hi Rosa,
I say give it a try, even just a plant or two. Perhaps you might consider starting with some herbs in pots. I find gardening to be a wonderfully fulfilling exploit!
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 7:13 am |
We have a pretty nice garden every year, with tons of different types of tomatoes, lots of herbs (basil, rosemary, sage, mint, oregano, parsley, etc.), some fruits (strawberries and peaches). I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so we can get started on gardening again for the year!
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 10:15 am |
Hi Amy,
And now we can see the little one with her hands in the dirt! I see lots of family projects coming up…
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 12:40 pm |
A garden such as this one (to be) is the ONLY reason I would give up my condo. I’m serious…I really am getting the urge now.
Thursday, February 13th 2014 at 3:32 pm |
Ciao Trevor!
Oh, I love being an inspiration-or is it an instigator. I say take a drive to the nursery, and start with a few pots. And have fun!
Friday, February 14th 2014 at 5:19 am |
I need to become (once more) a more committed gardener. I was much more into it years ago when we lived in Michigan. Then when we moved to DC and I got involved with food and cookbook writing, that sort of took over. I love Seeds from Italy; they were a source of inspiration for The Glorious Vegetables of Italy. We just came through another snowstorm, but even so, I can feel the air changing. Spring will be here before we know it.
Friday, February 14th 2014 at 6:49 am |
Hi Domenica,
Seeds from Italy is a fabulous company, and each year their selection grows. I hope you get out into the garden soon. Tender greens always signal Spring!
Friday, February 14th 2014 at 9:09 am |
One of my great shames is the fact that I can’t seem to grow edibles in my yard. I’ve tried and failed too many times. Maybe I should move to Italy and try again! GREG
Friday, February 14th 2014 at 10:00 am |
Hi Greg,
Well, now that is disappointing. Is it real shady? If shade prevails, perhaps mints and tender lettuces like Misticanza are the way to go?????
Saturday, February 15th 2014 at 5:29 am |
I am also beginning to think about our summer garden. I know with the extremely cold weather that when we return home our rosemary bushes will be dead and have to be replaced. Basil is one of our favorites for summer, Thanks for reminding us it won’t be long until gardening time.
Sam
Saturday, February 15th 2014 at 6:17 am |
Hi Sam,
It is my pleasure. Gardening is such a fulfilling hobby. I love it!
Saturday, February 15th 2014 at 2:24 pm |
Non ho un giardino , ho solo il davanzale della finestra.Lì metto i miei vasi di erbe aromatiche, di più non posso fare, buona domenica Adri !
Saturday, February 15th 2014 at 3:57 pm |
Ciao Chiara,
Oh, ma i vasi di erbe sono così bello – tali meravigliosi profumi! E buona domenica a te, amica!
Sunday, February 23rd 2014 at 8:58 am |
We’ve been tilling up our gardens’ soil this week (now that the snowstorm has come and gone!) and I can’t thank you enough for providing such wonderful resources for Italian seeds, plants, and cookbooks! Here’s another one for your library, Adri, that you may have already: “Cooking From An Italian Garden” by Scaravelli and Cohen. You’ve inspired me to write my first gardening post of 2014. May I ask permission to refer my readers and provide a link to your post?
Grazie,
Roz
Sunday, February 23rd 2014 at 9:14 am |
Hi Roz,
How wonderful that you are out at work in the garden. I look forward to reports of your progress. I am not familiar with “Cooking from an Italian Garden”, so thank you for mentioning the book. And, feel free to refer to this piece – that is very generous of you. Enjoy your garden!