It is just starting to rain here in the East Bay, and gusts of wind push past the windows like there’s something more formidable than rain about to fall from the sky. I got a chance to get some mud under my finger nails just before the weather started shifting, and the harvest for a day in late February was especially colorful and delicious. That is one of the great things about living in Oakland – the mild winters and gentle weather allow for earlier-than-usual spring plantings, and overwintering veggies a-plenty.

In the harvest I got some of my favorite lesser-known garden treats – ones that can sometimes be hard to find in grocery stores, even Berkeley Bowl, and when you do find them they can be priced higher than one would expect. Here’s the down low – check out the slide show for full info on each plant.

Mache – The French heirloom green, used like lettuce, has a buttery, sumptuous texture. It is a sophisticated salad basic around my house because I find it grows, and reseeds itself most of the year with glorious abandon. Get seeds from Petaluma’s new Baker Creek Seed Bank, or from Renee’s Garden Seeds, available nation-wide. Commis, a new Oakland eatery, uses baby spring mache in their seasonal menu.

Japanese Giant Red Mustard – I use this heirloom green in stir fries and in other recipes like I’d use flat or curly kale. The district color, and crisp, flavorful stalks make it one of my favorites in the garden. It overwinters like a dream, and re-seeds easily if you allow a few plants to flower. Its near impossible to find in local restaurants, and even more rare to find on the shelves of a regular grocery store. Get seeds from Baker Creek also.

For more, read on here, and continue below to see the whole garden in the slide show.