I have grown a winter gardener since moving to CA 17 years ago.... and I've had to do it all in containers of one sort or another. There are so many good vegetables that just don't do well in the Central Valley's summer heat. I'll start the beans on Aug. or Sept. and the peas in Oct., potatoes I put in anytime of the year that I find sprouts on the ones in the pantry. I had Fava beans two years ago and they are the prettiest plants. Lettuces, radishes, carrots, etc. are definitely a winter crop. All the cabbage family only do well in the cooler weather. I wish you well.... and good eating.

So when do harvest your winter potatoes?

First off, where are you located, Phil?

What may work for me here in zone 9 may not work for you if zone 23 is indicated in your call sign. Our winters are probably much colder than yours.

Elaine

San Diego.

I'm in San Diego near the coast. I grow lettuce and peas in the fall/winter, and lots of annual flowers while Ma Nature does the watering.

Hi Phil, I am in Oceanside and I enjoy winter gardening very much. This last year I grew potatoes, leeks, fava beans, chard, carrots and peas. I grow them in 4'x8' raised beds and they do very well. The potatoes I grew in wire frame baskets lined with shade cloth. This year I will line them with straw. The fava beans were very tasty and the chard is great as a spinach substitute. I am looking forward to kale this winter. The celery and garlic are a bit small but I am improving their soil now. August and September are my least favorite gardening months because of the heat that I hide from.

So how did you do with the potatoes? Worth the effort? It was mentioned that their acid soil requirement can make it difficult to make good rotations.