Region Description: Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
 USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to
10
more
AHS Heat Zones: 2 to 9
more
Sunset Zones: 18 to 24
more
Major Cities: Anaheim CA, Long Beach CA, Los Angeles CA, Pasadena CA,
Riverside CA, San Bernadino CA, San Diego CA, Santa Barbara CA, Tijuana MEX,
Ventura CA
The Region.
Southern California's Coastal and Inland Valleys is defined as the area just
south of the Tehachapi Mountains. It starts at the Pacific Ocean north of Santa
Barbara, goes east to just south of Bakersfield, then along San Gabriel
Mountains to San Bernardino and into Baja Mexico. The desert portions east of
San Bernardino and south to the Salton Sea and El Centro, are considered part
of our Southwestern Deserts region.
The Climate.
This region is famous for its year-round growing climate. The two strong
influences are the moderating breezes from the ocean and drying, warm winds
from inland areas. These influences along with the mountains create a myriad of
microclimates with varying degrees of winter chill. In some areas, during the
frost season (November through January), temperatures barely dip into the 30Fs
and in some years no frosts occur. Conversely, in other areas week-long hard
freezes at year's-end have killed tender plants like geraniums, fuchsias, and
succulents. We average about 15 inches of rain a year, but in recent years have
received 5 inches one year and 40 inches another year. Rains typically start
around Thanksgiving (if we're lucky), are heaviest in February and March, and
end in May. Summer's high overcast mornings moderate the heat along the coast,
but inland the clouds burn off to clear to hot afternoons with temperatures
around 100F. Drying winds such as the Santa Ana's can dessicate plants in some
areas, while coastal fogs slow plant growth along the Pacific ocean.
The Growing Season.
Long springs and falls, with relatively mild summers and winters make our
"Eden" a true joy to garden year-round. The vast array of micro-climates
throughout the entire area allow for a diversity of plants to be grown within a
few miles of each other. In warm, thermal belt areas you'll often find tropical
plants such as bananas and avocados growing. However, a few miles away near
some mountainous areas, cool pockets create an environment where you can grow
cold-dependent, temperate plants such as such as lilacs and tree peonies. Away
from the ocean, lower temperatures in winter slow plant growth from
mid-December through mid-January; while summer heat precludes outdoor
transplanting during July unless carefully protected and well watered. On the
coast, summer fog makes maturing warm-season crops such as tomatoes a
challenge.
View this week's Regional Report for Southern California Coastal & Inland
Valleys
Published by the National Gardening Association
www.garden.org,
www.kidsgardening.com
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