Hi there. I'm in Calif. Love to hear how things are going with your planning. I'm an organic Christian grandma. Just put in 6 - 65 gal. rain barrels last fall and they all filled in the first 1 1/2 inches of rain. I was amazed. Last week got 6 baby chicks. Sooooo cute, but they grow so fast. I'm trying to enjoy every minute before they get to the awkward stage. We have several fruit trees and grow lots of veg. Wishing you the best spring planting this year and good growing weather.

Hi, Welcome -- I haven't been on for a while so I missed you. Growing things is fun. I bet you could grow Pomegranates there. I have one that the birds planted for me. I love it. It was free and I got 34 lbs of fruit off it last Oct. Try the olla pots the Dervaes use. Saves a lot of water and keeps plants going in hot weather. All you need is loose soil. They don't work in clay soil, so I trucked in some sandy loam for a raised bed and it worked great.

Hi Vallejo! I'm in San Jose, just south of you. I grow Peaches, Plums, Pomegranates, Pineapple Guava, Apples, Boisenberries, Tomatoes, potatoes, squash, peppers, lettuce, sugar pod peas, beets, kale etc. Have chickens. Live in a tract home. Looks like you've done a lot already. Happy spring planting!!!

I'm with you. Great goals. Have you read "Radical Homemakers" by Shannon Hayes? I think it would inspire you -- it did me. As far as gardening, Citrus (if you are in a good place for them) often will store on the tree for quite a while, so if you are busy, you don't have to harvest all at once. Some veg are much easier than others. Try the easy ones first. Check out Mother Earth News web site for tips. Little ones grow up so fast. Enjoy them as much as you can. My youngest is 37. Don't expect too much of yourself when you have little ones. It's OK to rest when you're tired. Best wishes!

Hi, we are experimenting with 4 varieties of blueberries planted last year. Too soon to tell much, except that they all made it through the winter (Calif) and are alive. Looks like early spring this year. Hope they don't burn to a crisp in the summer sun.