While most of the U.S. has experienced extremes in temperatures throughout the spring and summer, our Southern California coastal weather has been mild. During June and most of July our temperatures ranged in the 60s and 70s, often with overcast skies. It makes growing heat-loving crops a frustration, but since predictable weather may be a thing of the past, I have worked to consider such variability a challenge to overcome through creative strategies. Some these actually include long-known interventions including planting squash, peppers, and tomatoes along the southern-exposed walls of my home (that are also protected from the cool breezes of the Pacific). And, I've embraced the idea that I will be growing more cool-weather crops throughout the year and needing to buy heat-loving veggies from the Farmer's Market on occasion (though I really resist this since my personal goal is to grow ALL of my own veggies). In addition, I have expanded the range of plants I grow that are non-traditional for the area in order to ensure sufficient crops for the season. Last, I am in continual search of new varieties of traditional warm weather plants that tolerate cooler climates. I have had a bit of success with this combined approach and the freezers and the pantry are filling.
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