If you think that having fresh vegetables and pretty flowers in your garden means that you plant in the spring, harvest in summer and fall, then enjoy pumpkin-spice lattes until the next year – you’d be wrong. Here in California, we have a climate that’s perfect for year-round growing. In fact, winter gardens can be fun and fruitful – and here at Luis’ Nursery in Visalia, California, we can help you get started.

Here in Central California, fall is often considered a “second spring” and is an ideal time to plant vegetables and annuals in gardens, raised beds, or even pots. There are many vegetables and flowers that thrive in cool temperatures between October and March, allowing you to enjoy your garden all year long.

Planning fall and winter gardens

If you’re new to winter gardening, start by doing a little research. Talk to our plant experts here at Luis’ Nursery and check out the list below to get an idea of what you’d like to plant. Selecting the veggies and flowers you want first will help you to plan things like location, sun exposure, space and other growing conditions that will affect your success.

Caring for a fall and winter garden

Winter gardens are often easier to take care of than summer. The cooler temperatures mean that plants are less likely to burn and will require less water. Weeds don’t grow as fast, so it’s easier to spot and abate them as soon as they emerge. And many harmful insects are less active in the cooler months. (Snails and slugs, however, seem to thrive in cool, moist weather, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.)

On the rare occasion when freezing temperatures are in the forecast, all you need to do to protect your crops is use a cloth-like cover at night to trap the day’s heat. Be sure to remove them during the day so the sun can get in, then cover at night. (Don’t use plastic sheets or tarps as they can also freeze and harm your plants.)

Best fall and winter vegetables for California gardens

Here at Luis’ Nursery we carry a wide variety of winter vegetables perfect for the local climate. With new shipments arriving weekly, you’re sure to find what you crave. Examples from our stock include:

• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Lettuce
• Swiss chard

Best fall and winter annual flowers for Central California

In addition to our vegetables, we also offer fall and winter annual flowers with new stock arriving weekly, including:

• Pansies
• Snapdragons
• Violas
• Stock
• Iceland poppies
• Calendulas
• and a whole lot more!

Give us a call at (559) 747-5015 to find out what we have in stock, or visit us at our Visalia location at 139 S. Mariposa Ave. Your winter gardening adventures are about to begin!