Don't Let Spring Weather Trick You - Transitioning To Warm Weather Crops

While parts of our country are battling snowstorms and freezing temperatures, we have enjoyed warm sunny days, and our thoughts migrate to planting warm weather crops. We dream of the day when we can fill our plots with corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and okra, to name a few.  Below are some articles and videos to help guide transition to a summer garden.

http://www.ucanr.org/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=20498

While we have experienced some warm days, we must not rush into planting summer crops just yet.  Cold temperatures cause warm weather crops to stress, weakening their immune system, leaving plants more susceptible to disease and low productivity.  Most articles reference "last frost date," a marker that is not applicable to our planting zone.  Night time temperatures may be a better guide for when to start planting summer crops.  UC Master Gardener Program blog offers some points to consider before planting summer vegetables in the garden.

https://cafarmandgarden.com/warm-season-crops/?ref=site

This article by California Farm and Garden is based in San Diego. Much of what is said is applicable to our area since San Diego is in the same planting zone (Zone 10).  There is a list of warm weather crops with suggested months to plant in the garden.  As mentioned, you may want to start summer crop seedlings ahead of time to gain growing time.

https://www.ufseeds.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-UrbanFarmer-Library/default/dw1d715b80/images/content/Planting-Zone-9.jpg

If you would like a visual, scroll all the way down to the end for a colorful chart on when to plant and harvest common vegetables.