Winter in the Bay Area is obviously not the ideal time to plant beans, tomatoes or squash, but our cool months of January through March are a fine time to grow many other vegetables, according to Pam Peirce, author of the classic guide Golden Gate Gardening

During this cool season, she recommends sowing seeds of snap peas, spinach, bulb onions, leeks, carrots, and radishes directly in the soil, and planting out starts of other veggies, e.g., lettuce, broccoli, and collards. 

Both seeds and starts will appreciate a sunny spot or at least reasonably bright light, soil that’s been freshly amended with compost and organic fertilizer, and protection from hard frosts. A late winter harvest of fresh produce will be your reward!

You can find Golden Gate Gardening $35.00 on the store’s bookshelf.