If you're on the east side (Oakland) you have more choices than being on the SF side.

Beans, tomatoes and summer squashes are producing now so it's late to be putting those in. The only kind of tomato I've had that produced into Nov. has been cherry tomatoes. You might get some if you plant a 4-inch potted one.

Cool season vegetables include spinach, cabbage, lettuces, carrots, beets, turnips, snap peas and cauliflower. I don't have a favorite spinach variety.

There are bagged soils that come with nutrients added, and those that don;t. You should be ok if you add no more than an inch of manure, dug in thoroughly. Water and wait a couple of weeks to plant to be safe. You can place your hand on a bag of manure and if you feel heat, it needs aging. I store a couple of bags out of sight for a few months before using. Have fun!

Hi IrisGal,

Thank you for your reply!

I am in Sunnyvale/Santa Clara. Let me get manure then -- any specific brand/shop you recommend?

I'll start with Spinach and cabbage then.

Thanks again.

Sam, I buy the cheapest manure. The big box stores usually have only one brand. I used to like KMart's because of the texture (?) and it went on sale @3/1.00! Currently I'm using Home Depot's.

There are differences between what the box stores offer, at least in my area. HD sells a Steer Manure Blend (a mixture of steer manure and "compost"). Lowe's sells (weed free/fine screened) Steer Manure. I would call it comparatively weed free... There is also a difference between brand quality among steer manures. The less expensive ones will often contain many more weed seeds. The joy of saving $.15 per bag quickly fades when you have to start eradicating thousands of tenacious weeds that arrived with the cheap stuff. Guess how I learned that, after hubby did the shopping for me one day.

Sam A- I'm in Sonoma Co., not too far from you but a little cooler.

Don't go too crazy with your first garden! You don't want to get overwhelmed!

Greens-lettuce, chard, kale are very easy to grow and you can pick them all season long, just snap off as many leaves as you need for the meal and they will keep growing back! They should last through the next year (but could bolt cause of your heat) Radishes are really easy and fast, carrots and spinach kind of like a bit of a cold spell to germinate. I plant garlic on Halloween. Herbs in our area do great! Be careful, though! Some can be invasive due to our mild climate! I have my herbs in their own area, mostly in large pots to contain them!

I've kind of avoided spinach cause it takes so much for a meal, but might try again this year since I'm now retired and have the space!

Squash, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, tomatillos, corn, beans and more will be planted in the spring (probably for you about Mar 15th)

I don't know how many beds the former owners left you =), but if you don't fill them this winter, cover them with cardboard or they'll be filled with weeds by spring! I usually stab the cardboard in many places (It lets my aggressions out! LOL) and lets the rain in.

You will be wanting to tune into the Vegetable garden, soil and mulch and Harvest boards around here for a lot more info! Welcome and Happy gardening! Nancy