Vegetable Gardening and Edibles in a New Garden

Be sure to choose fruit trees well adapted to your mild climate zone, which is probably Zone 23, the thermal belt of the coastal zones which is right next to the coastal fog belt, Zone 24. Sunset Western Garden Book has excellent lists. Be sure to follow the recommendations. Don’t try growing something in the wrong zone, for example Washington Navel orange needs more chill. Some I would recommend particularly are Panamint Nectarine, Blenheim apricot, Santa Rosa plum, these three give superior fruit in Southern California gardens and are easy care. Blenheim apricot has a big harvest on alternate years but some people don’t prune it right. Be sure to read what I say about pruning in my book. You will need a little chill for Blenheim to give fruit but i think it will perform for you. I would also plant Valencia oranges on Flying Dragon rootstock which often taste better I think on Flying Dragon, but you can ask around and try to find special things at special nurseries. Then I would have a Tangerine, and for sure a ‘Meyer Lemon Improved’. This is my favorite lemon for home gardens. I would surely plant a ‘Bearss’ Lime too and a kumquat. Read the varieties in Sunset and choose a good one. Don’t let other folks talk you out of these good choices since I’m telling you the best things and some are old. Who cares? Success and ease is what you want. Check the lists in Sunset under Citrus for other good ideas. There are some fantastic things available now. Why not try some but first plant the old standby’s like I have said. Among apples i would choose to grow ‘Winter Banana’ despite it being underrated. I tell you it’s a great low-chill apple, vigorous and gives very good harvest, and makes simply marvelous pies. Best I have ever baked.  I would also grow ‘Anna’ apple for eating raw with an Ein Shemier right next to it as a pollinator or make sure plenty of it is grafted right onto the tree. (Don’t let them talk you into ‘Dorset Golden’. it does not work well for Anna as a pollinator.)

As for vegetables, come to my lectures on that subject. I am covering it from the ground up this year both summer veggies now and winter veggies in fall. Put raised boxes in full sun.