Winter Gardening in Los Angeles: What to Grow in Zone 10
Question: I would like to purchase $50 worth of seeds that will grow in the winter time in Los Angeles. What optoins do I have? This will be much appreciated.
Answer: Thank you for your email. Sure thing, here are some recommendations of what you could grow below. We hope this helps! Thanks you for your patronage. God bless!
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What You Can Grow in Zone 10 During the Cooler Months
Winter gardening in Los Angeles is easier than many think. Thanks to the city’s mild winters and Zone 10 climate, a wide range of crops thrive during the cooler months. From leafy greens and root vegetables to herbs and flowers, there are many rewarding options to grow in Zone 10. Whether you’re planting in raised beds or containers, here’s what to sow and when.
Winter Vegetable Seeds for Los Angeles (Zone 10):
Cool Season Vegetables for Winter Gardening in Los Angeles
These cool season vegetables are well suited to winter gardening in Los Angeles, where Zone 10’s mild winters allow for steady growth and repeated harvests. Most of these crops can be sown directly in garden beds or containers from late fall through winter and will thrive without the threat of hard frost.
Lettuce
Lettuce thrives in Southern California winters—sow successively for continual harvests.
Try: ‘Black Seeded Simpson‘, ‘Buttercrunch‘, and ‘Paris Island Cos’.
Kale
Kale is highly cold-tolerant and often improves in flavor with cool nights.
Try: ‘Lacinato‘ (also called Dinosaur Kale) and ‘Vates Dwarf Blue Curled‘.
Spinach
Spinach loves cool temperatures and can be harvested repeatedly.
Try: ‘Bloomsdale Long Standing‘.
Swiss Chard
Hardy and colorful, chard grows well through mild winters and handles light frost.
Try: ‘Fordhook Giant‘ and ‘Ruby Red‘.
Mustard Greens
Fast-growing and flavorful, mustard greens are ideal for winter salads and sautés.
Try: ‘Giant Southern Curled‘ and ‘Florida Broadleaf‘.
Peas
Sow peas in late fall or early winter—plants will thrive in cool weather and produce sweet pods.
Try: ‘Sugar Ann‘ (snap pea) and ‘Early Frosty‘ (shelling pea).
Root Vegetables for Winter Gardening in Los Angeles
These cool-season root crops thrive during winter gardening in Los Angeles, where Zone 10’s mild winters provide the perfect environment for steady growth. They are ideal for sowing in fall or early winter, offering dependable harvests with minimal effort.
Carrots
Carrots grow best in cool weather and develop sweeter flavor in winter soils. Sow directly and thin early for proper root development.
Try: ‘Danvers 126’, ‘Scarlet Nantes’, and ‘Atomic Red’.
Beets
Beets thrive in Southern California winters and provide both tasty roots and edible greens.
Try: ‘Detroit Dark Red’, ‘Chioggia’, and ‘Golden Detroit’.
Radishes
Fast-maturing and reliable, radishes are perfect for succession planting all winter long.
Try: ‘French Breakfast’, ‘Cherry Belle’, and ‘Black Spanish’.
Turnips
Quick-growing roots and nutritious greens make turnips a winter favorite. Harvest young for tender texture.
Try: ‘Purple Top White Globe’ and ‘Shogoin‘.
Rutabaga
Slower to mature but well suited to long, mild winters—sow early for a late winter harvest.
Try: ‘American Purple Top’.
Parsnips
Parsnips need a long, cool growing season and improve in flavor after frost.
Try: ‘Hollow Crown’.
Herbs for Winter Gardening in Los Angeles
These hardy herbs are a great addition to any garden focused on winter gardening in Los Angeles. In the mild conditions of Zone 10’s winters, they grow slowly but steadily and are less likely to bolt than in warmer months. Perfect for raised beds or containers, these cool-season herbs add fresh flavor to winter meals and are easy to grow in Zone 10 with minimal care.
Parsley
Parsley grows steadily in cool weather—harvest outer leaves as needed.
Try: ‘Moss Curled‘ (curled type) and ‘Plain Leaf‘.
Cilantro
Cilantro prefers cooler temps and bolts less in winter.
Try: Standard ‘Coriander/Cilantro‘ variety.
Chives
Hardy perennials that handle light frost well and regrow after cutting.
Try: ‘Onion Chive‘ and ‘Garlic Chive‘.
Dill
Best planted in cooler months for slower bolting and fuller flavor.
Try: ‘Bouquet Dill‘.
Flowers for Winter Gardening in Los Angeles
These cool-season flowers thrive in the mild winters of Los Angeles and bring color and life to Zone 10 gardens when little else is blooming. Ideal for raised beds, borders, or containers, they grow steadily through the cooler months and often last into early spring. With minimal upkeep, these winter flowers brighten the garden and offer reliable beauty all season long.
California Poppy
State flower of California—fall or winter sowing gives early spring blooms.
Try: ‘California Orange’.
Calendula
Cool-season favorite that blooms continuously in winter gardens.
Try: ‘Pacific Beauty Mix’.
Nasturtium
Edible flowers and leaves—prefers cooler temperatures and will thrive until heat sets in.
Try: ‘Dwarf Jewel Mix‘.
Sweet Alyssum
Low-growing, fragrant blooms—excellent as a border or filler.
Try: ‘Carpet of Snow‘.
Quick Winter Planting Tips for LA
| Crop | Planting Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce, Kale, Mustard, Peas, Chard, Spinach | Late fall through winter | Direct sow outdoors — soil stays warm enough year-round. |
| Kale | Late summer into fall | Overwinters best, sweetens with frost. |
| Lettuce | Late fall | Harvest during mild winter, sow successive batches. |
| Herbs | Early winter | Most herbs grow slowly but steadily and tolerate frost well. |
| Flowers | Fall to early winter | Sow directly for early spring blooms. |
FAQ:
What vegetables can I grow in the winter in Los Angeles?
Winter gardening in Los Angeles is incredibly rewarding thanks to the city’s mild winters and long growing window. In Zone 10, you can successfully grow a wide variety of cool-season vegetables during the winter months. Excellent choices include lettuce, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, and peas. These vegetables thrive in cooler temperatures and can be sown directly into the ground or into raised beds and containers. For best results, plant in late fall and continue harvesting into early spring.
Which root vegetables grow well in Zone 10 winters?
If you’re looking to grow in Zone 10 during the winter, root crops are a great choice. Many of them become sweeter and more flavorful when grown in cooler weather. Ideal root vegetables for winter gardening in Los Angeles include carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, rutabagas, and parsnips. You can also grow green onions, garlic, and shallots. Sow these crops in fall or early winter and harvest through late winter or early spring, depending on the variety. Loose, well-draining soil is key for healthy root development.
When should I start my winter garden in Los Angeles?
In Zone 10, you can begin your winter garden as early as late fall, typically around October or November. This gives crops enough time to establish before cooler temperatures arrive. Winter gardening in Los Angeles is possible all season long since the ground rarely freezes. Greens like kale and mustard can be sown in late summer to early fall, while herbs and root crops do well with fall or early winter planting. Use succession planting for crops like lettuce and radishes to enjoy multiple harvests.
Can I grow herbs in the winter in Los Angeles?
Yes, many herbs do very well in Los Angeles winters, especially when grown in containers or well-prepared garden beds. In the mild Zone 10 climate, you can grow parsley, cilantro, chives, and dill through the winter months. These herbs prefer cooler weather, grow slowly but steadily, and are more likely to resist bolting than in summer. Start them in early winter and harvest outer leaves as needed. Their fresh flavor adds a bright touch to winter cooking, and they’re easy to grow even for beginners.
What flowers can I sow in winter in Southern California?
Winter is a great time to sow certain flowers in Southern California, especially if you’re gardening in Zone 10. Flowers like California poppies, calendula, nasturtium, and sweet alyssum not only tolerate cool weather but actually bloom best when sown in fall or early winter. These varieties provide early spring color and attract pollinators. Plant them directly in garden beds or containers, and expect blooms by late winter or early spring. Many also have edible uses—nasturtium leaves and petals, for example, are both beautiful and tasty.
Is it too cold to garden in Los Angeles during winter?
Not at all—winter gardening in Los Angeles is both productive and low-maintenance thanks to the region’s consistently mild winters. Zone 10 rarely experiences frost, which means your soil stays workable and suitable for direct sowing. While some crops may grow a bit slower due to shorter days, others—like kale, spinach, and carrots—actually benefit from cooler temperatures and develop better flavor. If temperatures dip unusually low, row covers or frost cloth can offer protection, but they’re rarely needed in Southern California.
Can I garden in containers during the winter in Zone 10?
Yes, container gardening works exceptionally well during the winter in Zone 10 climates like Los Angeles. Raised beds, pots, and planter boxes stay warm enough to support most cool-season crops. This is a great option for small spaces, patios, or renters. Leafy greens like lettuce, kale, and spinach grow well in shallow containers, while radishes, beets, and green onions also adapt beautifully. Just make sure your containers have good drainage and are placed in a sunny spot that gets 6–8 hours of light per day.
What are the best greens to grow during winter in Los Angeles?
Some of the best greens for winter gardening in Los Angeles include lettuce, kale, spinach, mustard greens, and Swiss chard. These cool-season crops are cold-hardy and produce abundant leafy growth when planted from late fall through winter. Kale and mustard even improve in flavor after a few chilly nights. Lettuce grows quickly and can be harvested continuously with successive sowing. All of these are excellent choices for raised beds, garden rows, or container gardens in Zone 10.
Will peas grow during a Southern California winter?
Absolutely! Peas are a cool-season crop that thrive in the mild winters of Zone 10. Sow them in late fall or early winter, and they’ll grow steadily through the cooler months. You’ll enjoy sweet, crisp pods by early spring. Both snap peas (like ‘Sugar Ann’) and shelling peas (like ‘Early Frosty’) perform well in Los Angeles winters. Just provide a small trellis or support, and keep the soil moist but not soggy. They are a wonderful crop for children and beginners due to their fast growth and rewarding harvest.
How can I make the most of $50 for a winter garden in LA?
To get the best value from a $50 seed budget, choose heirloom cool-season crops that provide multiple harvests and strong winter performance. Prioritize productive greens like kale, lettuce, chard, and mustard greens. Add a few quick-growing root vegetables such as radishes, carrots, and beets. Don’t forget flavorful winter herbs like parsley and cilantro, and toss in a packet or two of winter flowers like calendula or nasturtium to brighten your garden. Buying seed packets instead of starts gives you more planting power for less money—perfect for winter gardening in Los Angeles.
