Side yards that get little sun are best for smallish, tough plants that can take either sun or shade. How much space have you got? Something like Nandina 'Firepower', Echeveria 'Imbricata', Agave attenuata, Crassulas, Phormiums (they can get large, careful on size), Cordylines, boxwood, maybe Geranium 'Rozanne', (needs good watering the 1st summer to get through hot spells, until well-established), native Rhus like R. integrifolia (great for bird habitat), maybe Epidendrum orchids.

Lavender is going to need more sun than 3-4 hrs. The rest you mention are veggies and they need a lot more sun especially in Sunset 24. Your fruit trees will probably decline over time and underperform, especially the citrus, unless they get tall enough to reach more sun.

Thanks for the suggestions. The mandarin is in the one corner that gets the most sun- maybe 5 hours. I hope for the best. We have old lemon trees in other parts of the garden that produce abundantly, but maybe like you said, they've grown high enough to get more sun. The peach and apricot, since they are dormant in the winter, I'm hoping the reduced hours of sun then won't harm. I was trying to do all edibles but am thinking that might not be possible.

With the limited sunlight, edibles will struggle. Have you thought of succulents? Hoovb has some good suggestions.

Might asparagus work? If so any tips for growing? Right now I planted buckwheat everywhere and will turn it in a month or so. I wish everything sprouted and grew as vigorously as the buckwheat.

Also, we have a few raised bed boxes in that area and just filled them with " garden soil" from a big box store. Nothing seems to grow in them. Is it the soil?

This time of year, Pansies, Primulas, violas, Sweet peas can be transplanted or started from seed in your boxes to provide color till warm weather. Garden soil will be fine. Al

Ceanothus? California Lilac? If so, which one might work?