Unlike the majority of the United States who are putting their gardens to rest over the next five or six months, we enjoy year round growing opportunities here in Santa Barbara and the surrounding South Coast.
Now is a great time to plant peas, all kinds of leafy greens (lettuces, mustards, arugula, mache, spinach) broccoli, cabbages, carrots and beets, Now is the time to plants bulbing onions, leeks, garlic and shallots which will over winter and mature in late Spring. Even with the expected El Nino rains the temperatures are expected to remain somewhat warm so plants will continue to grow over the Winter months quite nicely. You might even consider planting some late season cherry tomatoes and be harvesting fruit at Thanksgiving and even at Christmas!!!
Take time to mulch beds and pathways well so you will be able to get around in your growing areas at this time. Capture as much water in your garden as possible so that you will not need to water much over the late-Fall and Winter months.
Want to learn more about what to plant now? I will be teaching a Fall and Winter Gardening Strategies workshop Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 3-4 PM at the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens, $15 entrance fee. RSVP to Oscar Carmona 805 689•3044, healinggrounds@cox.net to reserve your space. See you there!!!