WT*?
- Thread starter Figgin' A
- Start date
Figgin' A
Well-known member
Another mind-blowing fact is that the entire state of California spans zones 5a to 11a. I used to think that if you live in California, you have an amazing climate suitable for growing just about anything all year round. Not so fast. A grower on another forum once said something along the lines of 'I have enough heat to ripen xxx variety'. I was like, what? In California? Then I checked average monthly temps in the Bay Area where he lived and learned that up here in Southern Ontario, we get considerably more heat in June-September and our April and October averages are about the same. That was hard to comprehend at first, but that's the reality. Alaska can be warmer than some California places.
ETXfigs
Well-known member
Many people think that the whole state is like southern California. Here are some internet pics of Ansel Adam's Wilderness in eastern Madera county. These pics were taken in the summer time. In the winter the snow is about 20' deep. I grew up in the mountains in California backpacking and trout fishing in the high country.
Figgin' A
Well-known member
Wow! Beautiful scenery. I’d never guess it was California.
ETXfigs
Well-known member
You can do an image search of "Ansel Adam's Wilderness" and see plenty more pictures. Where I grew up was a few miles south of Yosemite National Park but there are so many tourists there. I liked to go trout fishing in Sierra National Forest and Ansel Adam's Wilderness. It's very remote and doesn't have all the tourists that Yosemite has.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
I know, I know... different places, different zones/climates in California, and they can differ drastically.... still, always get a kick out of these when I bother to go and check and stars line up... makes me feel better about my northern climate.
Dude! easyyay ithway allyay ethay emperaturetay ostspay
We don't want them figuring out who's been sucking the all their heat out
TorontoJoe
Administrator
This is the good stuff.... Nighttime low of 86F
Figgin' A
Well-known member
Dude! easyyay ithway allyay ethay emperaturetay ostspay
We don't want them figuring out who's been sucking the all their heat out
Nothing they can do about that. That's not new though. SF has been averaging 17C/62F in July for ages.
Figgin' A
Well-known member
Is it though? damn, I lost 99% of my gooseberries because of the heat we've been having. Most everything else seems to be loving it. The tomatoes this year are so sweet and delicious that we can't have enough of them. I don't think they've been this good ever before.
TorontoJoe
Administrator
The tomatoes and figs definitely like the heat... I grow the cuc's in some dappled shade so they're still pretty happy. Many of my herbs are bolted though.... Happened while I was gone. Just started new seeds on a bunch.
RandyK
Well-known member
It is funny you list Anchorage first (or even list it at all). My oldest daughter lives right outside of Anchorage and she has been complaining about the heat wave there and how much everyone is suffering with the heat there. The highs are in the 60's and they are complaining about the heat...while here it is in the 80's and 90's with the heat index often over 100.
RandyK
Well-known member
Awesome pictures! I was able to go on a few backpacking trips in the high Sierras "in my youth". It is spectacular. And I agree that California has many VERY diverse, varied and interesting different areas...ocean, mountains, wine country, desert...it is pretty amazing. One of my favorite stories (which I'm sure my kids are sick of hearing) is being able to go skiing on a Saturday in the local mountains of Southern California and then to go sailing on a very sunny nice day that Sunday...classic California.
ETXfigs
Well-known member
I went snow skiing in southern California a couple times at Big Bear. Another interesting fact, the highest mountain in the continental US/lower 48 is in California (Mt Whitney) and it's not very far from what I think is the lowest place (Death Valley).
Figgin' A
Well-known member
My cukes haven't been too happy, but because I stagger them and keep starting new plants every 4 weeks we've been having a good supply, but I see many having sun damage and they aren't as productive as last year. Sage is doing really well, parsley is not bad, not as good as last year. Cilantro bolted. French thyme is good. Basil, Genovese and purple, both are good for now. I think oregano is not bad... Dill is thriving and is everywhere. truly a weed. Rosemary is chugging along. Not bad. Tarragon sadly wilted and died recently. No idea what happened to it. Mint is thriving. Spinach and arugula, those bolt so quickly, but just pulled the old ones and planted new ones, hopefully by the time they start to grow the weather will cool down a bit and they won't bolt too quickly. Lettuce, forget about it. Need to wait a little. It bolts so quickly in this weather.
Figgin' A
Well-known member
I know. I got curious about the weather way up north and thought of Anchorage; listed it because I found it interesting how their weather is warmer than in some places in Cali. That's why I put it on the list. No other reason. I can imagine how that abnormally warm weather is wreaking havoc in their life. But I think the sooner they adapt, the better, as it's only gonna get worse and very fast. Up there, close to the Arctic, temperatures are increasing at a faster rate than down here.It is funny you list Anchorage first (or even list it at all). My oldest daughter lives right outside of Anchorage and she has been complaining about the heat wave there and how much everyone is suffering with the heat there. The highs are in the 60's and they are complaining about the heat...while here it is in the 80's and 90's with the heat index often over 100.