In the fall we had this crazy early cold snap and I ran out to make sure the kids had hats to keep their little heads warm. They have had no reason to put them on since then. As most have you have probably heard, it has been anything but cold here in California. Our warm winter, while nice in some ways, may prove to be disastrous come this summer. The garden, in this unrelenting warm, dry winter, is acting as though it were late spring.
All of my broccoli has either gone to flower or is about to. The aphids are multiplying like crazy. And just yesterday I noticed the first spots of powdery mildew on the pea vines. The mildew usually does not make an appearance until March or April.
The winter garden is making an early exit, so I had better acknowledge some of its successes before it is gone. I harvested my first head of cauliflower ever. It was about the size of my fist.
I also have three gorgeous heads of cabbage, which should be ready to harvest in just a few days.
The garlic is coming along. Almost all of it made it out of the ground. My fingers are crossed for nice good-sized heads. The dry weather will make this harder to achieve.
The garden is giving us a steady supply of kale and Swiss chard. We have also been enjoying lettuce, carrots, radishes, peas, and turnips.
I haven’t decided what to do about the summer garden. It will probably be smaller due to water conservation efforts. I will be planting drought resistant beneficials in my less productive beds. In the mean time, I will let the winter garden run its course, plan carefully for the next few seasons, and wait for the onions and garlic to bulb.
If you garden in California I would love to hear whether or not you are changing your gardening plans due to the drought.
Growing Up in the Garden 
As you say though a warm winter whilst sounding nice is a disaster for home growers.
The vegetable growing side of me has a quiet smile, when it hears people (myself included) complaining about the freezing cold temperatures and hard, hard frosts in the UK. I have to remind myself that frozen fingers and toes are a small price to pay for this most natural of pest and disease killers 🙂
I hope you get a break in the weather soon and good luck with the drought friendly garden.
Yes. Some of my beds have been infected with nematodes, which inhibit any plant growth. A good hard frost would kill them off swiftly, but that isn’t going to happen here. While I very much enjoy the year around growing season, there are definitely some draw backs to that. Everyone hoping for rain….Hope it comes soon.
Great, timely post. Your cauliflower looks wonderful. I grew some last year, but didn’t know about blanching and it turned an unappealing color. I too, garden in California so like you, plan to conserve. I’m going to remove the grass strip near the sidewalk and replace it with something more water-friendly. I’m going to try to use ‘grey water’ from the tub for watering as well. I probably won’t plant my pots (or I’ll plant succulents) since they need very little water.
I still hope to plant tomatoes and pumpkins, my two favorite summer crops. It’s been a discouraging winter so far without the rain.
Alys – Our house came lawn free in the front when we purchased it, but we have a small area of lawn in the back. I am trying to convince my husband that it is time to let it go. I was just looking at my potted herbs yesterday and thinking I may put them in the ground to help conserve water. I too will grow a few things: definitely tomatoes and cucumbers and probably squash and beans. That may be it for this year. I hope we can sing a different tune in a couple of months, but not feeling that optimistic.
My husband is also resistant to letting our goes. It just doesn’t make sense in our semi-arid climate and now the dire megadrought predictions. We have a small plot, but still, it is such a water guzzler. Lots to think about.
Great idea putting your herbs in the ground. It’s easier too if you have a drip system: no run off. I love pretty pots though, so it is hard to let that go.
I wish all the golf courses in California would convert to artificial turf. That would be a big step.
I’m so jealous of your winter garden! Here in the UK we’ve had nothing but floods, making winter crops all but a pipe dream for us. Thank you for posting, I hope your spring crops are as successful
Thank you so much! Year-round gardening is definitely one of the benefits to living in Southern California. There is always a garden full of produce. There are some drawbacks, but not big enough or many enough to complain about ;).
Your garden is beautiful! I miss California!❀
Thank you! I think I would miss it too if I were to leave.