What seeds are you planting for the Fall and Winter in the area of Central California? Depending on which map I use, I'm in Zone #9a, 9, 8, or 14. I grow a garden all year long, and would like to know what kinds of seeds other gardeners are planting in my area (Ceres, California, half-way between Modesto and Turlock. I know most of the vegetables I can grow, but would like to find more Flowers and Herbs I could grow, or at least try to grow .... I'm also interested in growing Wild Edibles, like Dandelion. I'm about to order some Dandelion seeds, along with a few other seeds (Carnation, Mustard, Stinging Nettle). I still have some warm-weather plants growing: Peppers, Tomatoes, and Eggplants. Lots of Flowers still growing: Four-O'Clocks, Morning Glory, Calendulas, Verbena, African Daisies, Shasta Daisies, Cosmos, Carnations, Geraniums, Nasturtiums, Ice Plant, Roses, Hollyhocks, and one Unknown Flower .... Some Greens have come up as volunteers: Red Giant Mustard, Southern Curled Mustard, Chinese Cabbage, Swiss Chard, along with volunteer Radishes. Herbs still growing: Sage, Lemon Grass, Mint, Stinging Nettle, Thyme, tons of Basil (about 15 different kinds), Rosemary, Onions, and maybe some Chives (?). Some other vegetables growing now: Radishes, Kohlrabi, Kale, and Carrots. Still have between four and six weeks of weather above freezing. I planted a bunch of seeds (three different plots) four days ago. Most of those seeds are up already!!! Even when it freezes, the temperature only stays below freezing for between two and four hours, around 3:00 a.m. until about 6:00 or 7:00 a.m., a few days until 8:00 a.m.
I moving my herbs into the greenhouse this weekend. They don't like the cold up here (above Sacramento). Was thinking of throwing plastic over the tomatoes to get the last push out of them, LOTS of flowers and green babies still on the vines. Think my egg plant gave me all it's got, but with the warmer weather this weekend they may try for more. I think I am going to stay away from outdoor winter garden this year.I just finished the greenhouse (10x10) and want start putting my efforts into growing summer time veggies in there.
You should have no problem growing a Fall-Winter Garden outside in Sacramento .... Sacramento Gardening Sacramento spans Growing Zones #8/9/14, which are excellent for Fall-Winter gardening. You can grow all kinds of Greens, Root Vegetables, and some Flowers too. Depending on how cold it gets, Mint might survive. This past Winter my three Lemon Grass plants made it through the Fall and Winter just fine. Mint and Rosemary also survived. Cilantro grows very well in the cold. We had many days that were well below freezing (low 20s and mid 20s). One day the temperature got down to 18 degrees F.! (- 8 degrees C.). Lost my Potatoes to the cold, then some more came up, but the gophers got all my Potatoes!
I'm 30 miles above Sac 1400 feet. not too far from the snow line. Fall I can keep things going well into Nov. I am really looking forward to the greenhouse!
There are some very hardy cold-weather plants that might grow where you live just fine. Some Greens will grow down to 10 degrees F. (- 12 degrees C.). I've had plants in my garden that were completely encased in solid ice! And they survived with no problems. My Root vegetables also survived extreme cold. Most of my Flowers survived the cold too (Calendulas, Verbena, African Daisy, Icy Plant, Geraniums, Rose, Carnations).
You gunna make me go out in that cold.. I"m all warm (and lazy) in bed! LOL This weekend after I get it a little more set up.