There’s pride that comes with growing your own vegetables. On top of that, studies show that organic foods, such as the ones you grow in your California backyard, have lower levels of heavy metals and other toxic metabolites. We’ll introduce you to the best vegetables that grow year-round in California, all of which are ideal for southern California gardens.
Carrots
Carrots grow year-round in southern California, and we recommend planting new seeds every one to two months to ensure you have a constant supply of them. In fact, California supplies 80% to 90% of the total carrot supply in the United States.
Since carrots prefer cooler temperatures, you can expect a larger tastier crop from the fall to early spring when temperatures in SoCal don’t rise above 75 degrees.
Peppers
Peppers can grow year-round in California, particularly in the southern part of the state where the high temperature doesn’t frequently drop below 75 degrees Farehinet.
You should plant your peppers in well-draining soil and an area that receives full sunlight. When first planting peppers, it’s essential to water them every day. But once they take root, you can switch to watering them once weekly.
Radishes
Radishes are one of the vegetables that grow year-round in California, and they love SoCal’s consistent sunshine. If you live in a hot inland part of the state, we recommend planting your radishes in containers so you can move them out of extreme heat.
Otherwise, plant radish seeds ½-inch deep, sowing seeds every one or two weeks during periods when you want a constant supply of them.
Corn
Whether you want to grow sweet corn for eating or flint corn for decor, planting corn year-round in southern California is easy. As long as the nighttime temperature doesn’t drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s safe to plant this beloved vegetable.
Since corn grows tall, you should space the seeds six to eight inches apart. It’s crucial to plant several rows of corn, as they rely on each other’s pollen to produce corn cobs.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are notorious for being challenging to grow anywhere in the United States because they’re so prone to disease. But by giving them extra attention, you can expect to have year-round tomatoes in your California garden.
You should use a trellis or tomato cage to support your tomato plants and ensure they have at least six hours of sunlight per day. But keep them away from brick walls and other hot surfaces that can scald their skin.
Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the other excellent vegetables that grow year-round in California, but you’ll need to tailor the type of lettuce you plant according to the season.
Traditionally, lettuce enjoys cooler weather, so the winters are perfect for it in southern California. But once summer rolls around, you should select a heat-tolerant lettuce variety. Planting lettuce once per month will ensure a steady supply for your salads.
Beets
Beets are an excellent fit for southern California gardens since you can harvest them in the spring and fall. For a spring harvest, plant your beets in January or February. Wait a few months after harvesting, then sow your next batch of beets in August.
You can also grow beets during the summer in southern California as long as you give them access to shade. Otherwise, keeping beets in full sun during cooler times of the year is ideal.
Are You Ready To Plant Vegetables in California?
California, and especially sunny southern California, is an ideal place to grow vegetables. So, we encourage you to head to your local nursery to stock up on seeds for your veggie garden.