When to Mulch Strawberries and Perennials for Winter in California
Along the coast and across Southern California, winter mulching has no deadline.
Gardening in California
Everything we have worked out for California: what to plant and when, which varieties finish in time, the pests that actually turn up here, and the jobs that pay off month by month. We also cover the rest of the property, from lawns and soil to home care and energy, because a garden rarely stops at the vegetable bed.
The numbers first, because everything else follows from them. Measured at the weather station in Los Angeles, the last spring freeze falls around no freeze occurs in an average year and the first fall freeze falls around no freeze occurs in an average year, USDA zones 5a-11a, 4,719 growing degree days in the year.
Garlic is the awkward one: only 0 weeks below 40 °F, where it needs six to split into cloves. Chill the cloves before planting, or grow a softneck type.
Elsewhere on the property in California: the pests that turn up here.
Figures from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals. A state is not one climate: elevation, a large lake or the coast can move these dates by two weeks either way, so check your own county with the extension service before you spend money.
When to Winterize Sprinklers and Outdoor Faucets in California
California runs two winterizing calendars at once. Along the coast and across Southern California, no freeze occurs in an average year, so draining…
Heat Pump or Gas Furnace in California: Which Costs Less to Run?
A natural gas furnace costs less to run in California: $22.34 per million Btu of delivered heat, against $41.05 for a heat pump, according to figures…
Hedge Plants for California: What Holds, and What Only Looks Hardy
None of the twelve hedge species documented on this site survive across all of California.
Roof Wind Speed and Heat Requirements in California
Explains the 95 mph design wind speed at Los Angeles under ASCE 7-16, what it means for shingles and fasteners, and why snow isn’t a factor in California roof codes.
Finishing a Basement in California: Permits, Ceiling Height, Egress and Waterproofing
California’s basement code exempts low-ceiling spaces from egress windows, but ceiling height, permits, waterproofing and insulation rules still shape the project.
When to Pull Carrots in California, and How to Keep Them
Carrots don’t ring a bell when they’re ready. The tell is at soil level: the tops of the roots push up and show their shoulders, and those shoulders…
What Do Homes in California Cool With?
California’s homes cool with a mix of methods, not one dominant system. A slim majority run central air, a meaningful share gets by on window units…
How High Can a Hedge Be in California? What the Law Actually Says
California does not set a legal height limit for hedges. No statute, no statewide code section, no number that applies from Eureka to San Diego.
When to Overseed a Lawn in California
There’s no single date for overseeding a California lawn, because California isn’t one climate.