We are blessed to live here in the Central Valley and its foothills where we can grow year around. It is easy to find plants that can and cannot be planted together over the fall, but not what we can grow that will enrich the soil nutrition and texture and what biochemical pest suppression can be done that is frost tolerant.
According to the Vegetable Planting Guide for the San Joaquin Valley, the variety of vegetables for cool weather include artichokes, asparagus, root crops, brassicas (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens and others), carrots, cilantro, parsnips, potatoes, radish, rhubarb, rutabaga, spinach and turnips. Only artichokes, asparagus, brassicas, carrots, parsnips and rhubarb can be eaten in January. With different microclimates in the valley, many of the cool weather crops can be picked in the valley in January and February, depending on the location.
The major pests for these plants are:
- Aphids. They attack artichokes, arugula, beets, brassicas, carrots, lettuce, peas, parsnips and spinach. The botanical repellants include chives, green onions, garlic, onion, basil, rosemary, thyme, catnip, mint, tansy, lemon balm, chrysanthemum, petunia and French marigold. Only chives, green onion, garlic, onion, rosemary, thyme, catnip, mint, tansy and lemon balm can survive temperatures below 28 degrees over a long time. The mint family - catnip, mint and lemon balm - spread and are hard to get rid of. They and thyme may need to be potted separately. Thyme needs very little water.
- Asparagus pest control includes basil and dill.
- Other insect pests of brassicas can be addressed with the addition of flowering plants such as parsley, dill, basil, cilantro and coriander. Dill needs to be planted separately because it is incompatible with brassicas.
- Carrots pest control includes rosemary, sage and French marigolds.
- Alliums (chives. garlic, leeks, onions and scallions) pest control includes carrots, chard, marigolds, parsnips, rosemary and mint.
- Root crops such as beets, turnips and radish pest control includes marigolds,
garlic, mint, onions and radishes.
- Potato pest control crops include alums, horseradish, peas and cilantro.
Source: Insectary Plants, University of California Agricultural and Natural Resources, UCIPM Statewide Integrated Pest Management Services, https://ipm.ucanr.edu/mitigation/insectary_plants.html
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Written by UC Master Gardener James L. Miser