Fall planting in Costal So Cal

Just wondering what others on the coast are planting or doing in the garden this month. I'm never sure when to plant what. I'm in Long Beach and I have always had terrible luck with mildew on sweet peas and sugar snap peas so I am wondering if I should plant them at all. Also, can someone tell me when one plants azaleas around here?

I have a large vegetable garden and grow all year.Right now I have about 12-15 varieties of lettuce that has sprouted, will plant another 10-12 vars.this week.I have Amish snap peas that are about 1/2 foot tall.I'll plant more later this week for continuous harvest.I have Broccoli,Cauliflower,Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, a myriad of Asian Vegs.I have 22 new varieties of garlic to get in this month or early next month.I still have a couple of dozen Tomato plants still thinking its summer.Pepper and Eggplant with the same extended harvest.My Okinawa Purple Sweet Potato plants are in Full Bloom.Velvet Sea Beans are still blooming and have produced over 50 pods.
If you are worried with dew compensation just cover with row cover and avoid the problem.

I'm farther north than you and I don't grow sweet peas or sugar snap peas so I can't recommend anything on those...but I try to plant all of my trees, shrubs, and perennials in the fall. That way they can get established during the nice winter rains. The only exception I make is if there's a plant that's going to be really borderline on hardiness here, then I'll wait and plant it in the spring instead.

I just sent Jasperdale an email telling him he was needed here, as he lives in Long Beach and can help guide you.

I just live a few miles south of you and don't have any problem with Sweet Peas. I am growing some ornamental kale, stock, snapdragons for the winter. I will also get some Iceland popies in the late winter too.

BTW, welcome to DG. I haven't had the pleasure of talking with you yet. :-)

Donna

I don't grow vegetables, so I can't offer any sage advice on them, sorry. (no pun intended ! )

As far as azaleas go, you can pretty much plant them all year here except when the summer heat comes...then I'd wait. Avoid doing it in July, Aug. and Sept. I don't know where in LB you are, but I'm in 90802 and our soil is very sandy, so I plant azaleas in solid peat moss and they thrive.

Sweet Peas: NOW is a perfect time for them here. I soak the seeds overnight, then plant them in peat pots...when the roots start to emerge from the sides, I put them in the ground. Just make sure they have good air circulation if you're near the beach, or they'll mildew like crazy when the fog rolls in. I don't do mine against walls anymore for that very reason.

This is also a great time for a lot of annuals: Calendulas, stock, iceland poppies, snapdragons, pansies, violas, primulas, linaria, and many others.

Delphiniums do well if planted now, too...and will have spikes around March or April. Though they are a perennial, I treat them as annuals, as they rarely make a 2nd year comeback here...

There is a really good nursery called Certified Plant Growers off the 605 Fwy at Firestone, next to Target. (Go N on the 605, exit Firestone, and go Rt. about 1/2 a mile) They have a great selection of annuals...much better than HD or Lowes...as well as many other plants and their prices are much cheaper too. They are basically a landscapers nursery, but they sell to the public...but don't expect "help"...you pretty much have to have done your homework. Take a Sunset Western Garden Book with you...all their plants are labeled.

Bulbs: daffodils, dutch iris, tritonia, freesia, watsonia, hyacinthoides, callas, and others as well...but not tulips...they need refrigerated for 6 to 8 weeks first)

Perfect time also for daylilies, and bearded iris, and many perennials.
Cottage Nursery Gardens in Westminster has great old fashioned perennials...ck. them out !

If you're in to tropicals, I'd wait until early spring...we may get frost again like we did last year, and you may lose some things.

Email him and he will come. lol

Thanks Mike for helping with this query. You have given some great advice and information for any of us along the west coast.

Donna

I just assumed she/he wanted to know about blooming things....maybe not ! oops !

Thanks to all for the great advice.. I am a she (Barbara) and am in 90806. and you assumed correctly - I am interested in blooming things. Sorry to be late with a thank you - family illness.