Southern California ~ What growing region are we in?

Southern California is located in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness zones 8 to 10. The interior valleys are located in zone 8; the coast is considered zone 9a; the flat, inland areas encompass zone 9b. Spotty areas along the coast and in the far eastern part of the region exist that are in zone 10.

September

In Southern California, September is the time of year when the weather starts to transition to cooler temperatures.  However, Santa Ana winds are also present during this time, which adds dry heat to September days.  This is a good time to clean out the summer garden as well as prep the soil for winter plants

Vegetables:

Sweet peas, lettuce, and many members of the Brassicaceae family such as broccoli, cauliflower, thrive in the dry, cooler fall season of September.  Broccoli does best planted after Santa Ana winds die down.  Broccoli, as well as cabbage and cauliflower, requires full sun and regular water, harvest should be ready early winter.  Sweat peas, planted in September will be ready come December for harvest.

Flowering Plants

Wildflowers, snapdragons, poppies, and pansies will add color to your Southern Californian garden after weeding out the summer flowering plants.  Seeds or transplants will work.  Check for specific placement needs according to your particular region for each plant selected.  Plant Bearded Iris rhizomes in September, which will provide showy flowers throughout the winter.  Bearded Irises require at least half a day of sun

August

Most summer crops will be ready for harvest at this point in the year.  Crops sowed last month continue to progress.  For the southern Californian gardener, temperatures are still high, but the end of the heat is in sight.  There is still plenty to do to keep the August garden in full swing as well as preparations for the next growing year.  Here is a list of crops for the southwest growing region for August.

• Basil
• Beans
• Beets
• Broccoli (Transplants)
• Brussels Sprouts (Transplants)
• Cabbage (Transplants)
• Carrots
• Cauliflower (Transplants)
• Cilantro
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Dill
• Lettuce
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Summer Squash (Transplants)
• Swiss Chard
• Tomato (Transplants)
• Turnips

(Sources: Rodale’s Successful Organic Gardening: Vegetables, Mother Earth News “What to Plant Now”)

Marie Iannotti has some more suggestions for your August to the to-do list for Zones 8 and above:

• Seed a fall crop of spinach and keep harvesting.
• There’s always something to make with zucchini.
• Pick herbs for fresh use and for drying.
• Harvesting will keep them growing longer. Order spring bulbs for planting and forcing.
• Check that your mulch hasn’t decomposed and add more as needed.
• Spread a mid-season layer of compost or manure.
• Keep deadheading and harvesting.Leave some annual seeds to self-sow.Start saving seeds and taking cuttings.
• Remove any diseased foliage now, so it doesn’t get lost in the fall leaves.
• Prune summer flowering shrubs as the flowers fade.
• Trim and feed handing baskets to prolong their beauty.
• Take pictures of your garden at peak. Take pictures of container combination’s you’d like to repeat.
• Begin dividing perennials. Start with the bearded iris.
• Pot up perennial divisions for spring plant swaps. Sink the pots into the ground this fall and they’ll be one less chore in the spring.
• Plant trees, shrubs and perennials now, so they can take root, and keep them well watered.
• Get your fall-blooming crocus and colchicum planted so they’ll bloom on time.

More for Zone 8 and Above

Begin planting for the fall/winter vegetable garden.

Plant a spring crop of garlic.

Get the rose garden in shape for fall planting.

Order spring flowering bulbs for pre-chilling.

Feed citrus trees after harvest.

July

Southern California’s temperate climate makes it the perfect spot for growing vegetables, whether you plant near the coast or inland. Coastal temperatures tend to be cooler than inland locations, with the exception of the inland valleys. Coastal influences may reach up to 10 miles east of the coast. July is prime time to plant for a fall harvest. It is not too late to plant fast growing items such as beans, tomatoes and  lettuce.

Begin planting your fall vegetable seeds in late July to enjoy a wonderful fall bounty of fresh organic vegetables.