Question
I'm from the midwest, where the winter snow prevents people from growing year round. Now that I'm in San Francisco, I have no idea what to grow in my container garden in the winter months. Any suggestions for what do on my patio from October-March would be most helpful to this midwest gardener!
Courtney
San Francisco
Answer
You are in for a treat because the fall/early spring gardens are fun. Annuals that are available in September are stock, pansy and viola, snapdragons, paludosum daisy, and Iceland poppy. The snapdragons and poppy will look there best in early spring but are best established in the fall. The others will give you color even in the winter months. Arriving in October are primrose, ornamental cabbage and kale, and Cyclamen.
If you want to grow some edibles, lettuces, peas, broccoli, kale, Brussels's sprouts and chard are available as starts, or you can start from seed. Best from seed are onions, carrots, beets and other root vegetables. Herbs such as parsley, thyme, sage and rosemary can be planted. Of course, our full selection of spring flowering bulbs are available in September. Bulbs over planted with violas work very nicely in pots. October is also the best time to plant sweet peas, foxglove, and California poppy. There are also fall garden mums!  There's a reason this is such a popular state.
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