Fall/Winter Crops in Kern River Valley

Hi,

I'm new to square foot gardening and new to the Kern River Valley. I'm not even sure what zone I'm in, but I think it is 9 or 10, and I've been told we have a Mediterranean climate. Does anybody have the answer to that?

Additionally, does anybody know when is the expected first fall frost date? I have a chart that says Fresno's date is October 30, but I don't know if we're the same as Fresno.

What vegetables would be good to plant for fall and winter crops, and when would be the best time to plant them?

Thanks for the help!

Janet

Hi Janet, welcome to the forum!

I googled Kern River Valley and got Zip Code 93240. I then input that into the zone finder here (http://www.garden.org/zipzone/index.php) and got USDA gardening zone 8B.

There is a "Sunset" gardening zone system used in California which may be a different (probably higher) number, but I am not familiar with that. I am hoping some of our California folks can help you out with that.

I don't know about frost dates for your area, but I Googled a bit and hopefully this chart can help you: http://www.csgn.org/csysg_trainer/HO-Average%20Last%20&%20First%20Frost%20Dates%20in%20CA%20Cities.pdf

I lived for 7 years in the Pasadena area, and it was pretty easy to grow anything year-round there, though at the time I wasn't into growing veggies. In cooler climates, radishes, cabbages, broccoli, kale, pak choi, kohlrabi, etc. are a good choice, as are lettuce, mustard, garden peas, etc. You might be able to get some bush beans in, too. Fall is a good time to plant parsnips, garlic, etc., for overwintering into spring.

Hope this helps!