March is the Bay Area’s “pivot month”: cool-season crops still thrive, while warmer days make it worth starting (or transplanting) the first warm-season seedlings. In many Bay Area microclimates, March is also prime time for root crops, peas, potatoes, and ongoing successions of salad greens. 🌿 What You Can Plant in March Direct Sow Outdoors (Beds or Large Containers) Best bets for March sowing in much of the Bay Area: Carrots Beets Radishes Turnips Peas (snap/snow/shelling)

January Masterclass Bay Area Gardening Deep Dive (Sunset + USDA Zones) January is not a “do nothing” month in the Bay Area. It is a foundation month. What you plant, prepare, and protect now directly determines spring success, pest pressure, and crop timing across the entire year. This Masterclass goes beyond basic planting lists. It explains why January works the way it does in the Bay Area, how to adjust for microclimates, and how experienced gardeners use this month to qui

Why November matters First rains, shorter days, and cooler nights flip beds to winter mode. November is still productive if you lean into...

Carrots want cool soil, consistent surface moisture, and loose, stone-free beds. In USDA 9–10 you’ll get best roots from fall and...

Broccoli is a cool-season crop that loves the Bay’s mild winters. Success = plant at the right time, keep growth steady, and harvest firm...

Pest Management — Bay Area (Sunset 14–17; USDA 9–10) Integrated Pest Management in one page (how we work) Prevent first: healthy soil,...

Peas prefer cool weather and steady moisture. In most Bay Area microclimates, fall sowings produce winter–spring harvests; early spring...

Swiss chard is a cool‑season, cut‑and‑come‑again staple that tolerates light heat and mild frost. Aim for quick, steady growth: fertile...

Growing Guide: Kale — Bay Area (USDA Zones 9–10) Overview Kale thrives in cool weather and sweetens after a chill. In much of the Bay...

Growing Guide: Spinach — Bay Area (USDA Zones 9–10) Overview Spinach is a cool‑season staple for Bay Area beds and containers. Aim for...

What companion planting really is It’s not plant “friendships.” It’s smart mixing of vegetables, herbs, and flowers so you: Attract and...

Squash is a Bay Area all-star—fast, generous, and happy in raised beds, in-ground plots, and even big containers. This masterclass covers...

Why grow lettuce here? Cool nights, foggy mornings, and mild winters make the Bay Area ideal for lettuce almost year-round. Many coastal...

Because gardening is better when we grow together. Whether you’re planting your first lettuce seed or growing your fifth season of...

Hey gardeners! August in the Bay Area might feel like peak summer, but it’s actually a great time to get a fall garden going. Whether...