Gardeners Food Grown at Fort Ross

Food was abundant at Settlement Ross. Below is a list of foods known to have been either grown by Ross residents, introduced to the settler’s diet by the Alaska Native or Pomo cultures, or brought to the colony through trade. All but the foods known to the Pomo people were, of course, introduced to the region’s ecology. Seeds and plants were brought from all over the world. Radishes, for example, came from China. The Spanish introduced the peppers grown at the settlement from South America. The list is not intended to be a complete inventory, and research is ongoing.

Fruits Grown at Fort Ross – 

• Peaches
• Apples
• Pears
• Apricots
• Cherries
• Quince
• Plums
• Grapes
• Melons — such as casabas, watermelons, and cantaloupes

Vegetables Grown at Fort Ross –

• Winter squashes
• Pumpkins
• Cabbage — served both fresh and as sauerkraut
• Beets
• Turnips
• Carrots
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Radishes
• Horseradish
• Peas
• Beans
• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Mints

Grains Grown at Fort Ross –

• Millet
• Wheat
• Barley
• Buckwheat (kasha)

Flowers Grown at Fort Ross –

• Roses
• Calendula

Gathered at Fort Ross –

• Honey from beehives in the orchard
• Mushrooms, foraged 

Kashia Influence – 

• Purslane
• Miner’s lettuce
• Mustard greens
• Wild onion
• Bay laurel
• Acorns
• Hazelnuts
• Wild grains
• Roots of cattail
• Shellfish
• Dill
• Fennel
• Wild carrot
• Blackberries
• Huckleberries
• Thimbleberries