www.marloproductions.com Creating a healthier community takes teamwork and collaboration. What better place to start than bringing restaurants and local farmers together for tasty, fun and educational experiences. That is precisely what Kathrine Gonzalez of Chula Artisan Eatery and Mark and Nicole Tadros of Aziz Farms are doing. In November, they introduced a Fall Farm Dinner held outdoors at The Packhouse at Aziz, complete with a tour of their organic fields, live music and a family-style dinner featuring freshly harvested vegetables and herbs. The enchanting evening under the stars was one to remember. We started in the greenhouse with cheese-stuffed dates from Aziz and Gonzalez’s scrumptious corn fritters. A guitarist played as guests gathered before Mark and Nicole shared their vision for the property and educational work with local schoolchildren. They are creating the future we’d all like to see for the Coachella Valley, and their commitment is commendable. Chula Eatery and Gonzalez’s second restaurant, The Blushing Peony, are two of their many local restaurant clients, and they hope to see that number grow. After a sunset tour and the opportunity to pick and eat fresh heirloom carrots, we took our places at the long communal table. Set in a country motif with fresh-flower bouquets and string lights above, the scene was set for a warm and wonderful feast. We passed the homemade hummus with farm-fresh cucumbers and savored warm tomatillo vegetable soup. Next came Aziz Farm greens, sweet potato puree, and succulent date-glazed short ribs, all served with exceptional wines. After the churro and vanilla-bean custard, hot toddies were offered as the talented musician continued to play. The collaborators are planning another farm dinner in March, and all are encouraged to attend. This unique experience is just another reason we love desert life, and the people and places that make it so special. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.ChulaEatery.com or www.AzizFarms.com. Lauren Del Sarto is founder/publisher of Desert Health and can be reached at Lauren@DesertHealthNews.com. January/February 2026 www.DesertHealthNews.com Gonzalez and her team serve farm-to-table at Aziz Farm. Tadros educates guests during the tour as sunflowers bow to the sunset. Vegetable fritters and stuffed dates served in the greenhouse. Fresh Cuisine The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 16 LA QUINTA 79050 Highway 111 at Adams Street INDIAN WELLS 74895 Highway 111 at Cook Street PALM SPRINGS 5200 E. Ramon Road at Gene Autry Trail SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET Desert Health is proud to be featured in Sprouts Farmers Market. Stop by and pick up your copy today! go to: marloproductions.com to sign-up for tickets today! SUN FEB 15 - 11AM - 2PM AGUA CALIENTE CASINO, RANCHO MIRAGE tickets: $65 LOCAL FAVORITE RESTAURANTS REFINED WINES - CRAFT BEERS - LIVE MUSIC AT THE DESERT WOMAN’S SHOW FOOD Winter in the Coachella Valley is the quiet hero of the gardening year—cooler days, softer sunlight, and the perfect conditions for crisp lettuces, hearty roots, and vibrant herbs. With a little consistency and a simple rhythm, your winter garden can feed you generously all season long. Below is a user-friendly guide—practical, calm and easy to follow—that keeps your garden thriving. Monitor daily for plant health. A short walk through the garden helps you catch yellowing leaves, dryness or slow growth early. Winter is forgiving, but attentive eyes keep everything moving in the right direction. Feed and strengthen your soil. Every six weeks, assess your soil’s color, texture, and moisture retention. Desert beds benefit from consistent nourishment. Organic fertilizers like Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Blend provide trace minerals and steady growth support without burning your plants. For an extra boost, apply Vermigrow Earthworm Compost Tea. It delivers beneficial microbes that improve nutrient uptake, strengthen plant immunity, and increase overall vigor throughout winter. Adjust your drip irrigation. Winter vegetables love steady, gentle moisture. Check your water-conscious drip system at the start of the season. This one step prevents most garden problems before they start. Light pruning for structure and airflow. Prune only where necessary to maintain airflow and healthy branching. Let your plants grow into their natural shapes—your job is to guide, not micromanage. Winter growth is subtle, so small touch-ups are plenty. Practice simple, non-toxic pest control. Pests are quieter in winter, but not gone. Use integrated pest management basics: remove visible pests by hand, spray organic soapy water mixtures for aphids, and encourage beneficial insects. Small actions now mean fewer problems later. Remove weeds as soon as you spot them. Even in winter, weeds try their luck. Pulling them by hand keeps nutrients, moisture and space focused on the vegetables you want to thrive. Use smart seasonal and companion planting. Winter beds love harmony. Pair lettuces with anything in the allium family—green onions, chives, shallots, or garlic—to naturally repel pests and improve flavor. Another excellent pairing: plant carrots alongside rosemary or sage; the herbs deter pests while helping the carrots grow straighter and sweeter. Seasonal review of your layout keeps your garden productive year-round. Harvest often and enjoy the process. Picking regularly encourages new growth and better flavor. The best winter gardens are the ones visited often—quickly, casually, joyfully. With these steps—thoughtful irrigation, rich soil care, light pruning, organic pest management, companion planting, and a little daily attention, you can enjoy nutrientrich produce, reduce grocery costs, and eliminate plastic waste. Your winter garden truly can be a long-term source of fresh, free food. The best thing to do is check it every day and enjoy every bite. Natalie Meyerhoff is a University of California Master Gardener and founder of Thyme & Space Gardens. For help designing, building and maintaining your garden, contact hello@thymeandspacegardens.com or (760) 896.1446. Visit www.thymeandspacegardens.com. Care for Your Winter Garden By Natalie Meyerhoff, MEd Farm-to-table on the Farm Chef and farmers collab for culinary feast By Lauren Del Sarto
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