Well, if you want to grow the world's best fruit in addition to veggies you will go to California. The tropical fruits, by and large, just aren't as good as the temperate deciduous fruits you can grow in CA. But in CA you can grow everything except the true tropicals and see for yourself which you like best. If I could afford it I'd buy on the central CA coast somewhere from about Santa Rosa thru the Napa Valley down thru San Jose and down about as far as Arroyo Grande. You can grow almost anything there with minimum pests. The weather is great and real estate in that area is on sale right now.

If you are interested in that area, check out the website 'The Cloudforest Cafe' and post your question there.

The Fruitnut

I would imagine that parts of Georgia would be good for year round growing. Mild temperatures in the winter and not painfully hot in the summer. Can anyone verify this?

I agree with fruitnut. When my ship comes in, I'm moving to Napa. I lived in Santa Cruz for a while and that, while expensive, was splendid gardening.

Or Southern California (San Diego county particularly), the weather is perfect there... Mediterranean. Perfect for growing just about everything, including tropicals like oranges, bananas, etc. Not to mention the laid-back lifestyle and gorgeous San Diego... Gosh, I wish I had that decision to make... =)

I'm growing most of the fruits you can grow in CA but I need a greenhouse to do it. The quality is superb. So far above the quality of store bought fruit that there is no comparison. To grow this kind of fruit you need very exacting climatic requirements. In this country there is no place like CA to do this. Vegetables on the other hand can be grown to high quality in many areas of the US including humid areas. Fruits are much harder to grow in humid areas than in the dry west. Humid areas also tend to have many more insect problems than CA.

I'd agree with JXbrown. The Napa valley would be very hard to beat for growing all kinds of fruits and veggies. That is one reason why real estate is so expensive in that area. So you need a pretty big ship to come in to move there.

The poor man's area of CA for gardening is around Modesto and as far north from there as Chico and as far south as Visalia.

The Fruitnut

Southern CA does have a great climate. The only thing it lacks in this equation is enough chilling in the winter to grow the best of the temperate fruits. If you haven't eaten really great nectarines, pluots, sweet cherries, and apricots; then you won't know what I'm talking about. But those are the best fruits to many peoples taste. They are hard or impossible to grow in southern CA but grow to perfection in the areas I mentioned. They can't be grown at all in Hawaii and very little in Florida; the posters other areas under consideration.

The Fruitnut

Hi, Ozzz! Man has always been in search of El Dorado, Shangrila, the land of milk and honey, and like places. For sure, all of us would, at times, like for gardening to be a simple layup. Nonetheless, a highly successful year-round agricultural pursuit can be established where ever one can start a compost pile and erect a greenhouse. I freely admit to countless hours of cruising the internet looking at exotic locales, but always return to satisfaction with being in my humble little crossroads not far from Memphis. Yes, the summers are steamy and the hot humidity fosters every manner of pestilence and disease known to mankind. And the topsoil ranges from non-existent to unspeakably poor. And we have snakes, armidillos, and voles. And the winter temps can go below zero.

Yet, I see how the Canadians and Alaskans have great success with greenhouses and high tunnels. And I see how exacting adherence to IPM practices can lead to bountiful harvests locally during three seasons. I can be like the fruitnut and grow fruit year round if I want. Here, land and taxes are cheap so, comparatively speaking, I can afford the special equipment(like a greenhouse) easier than exhorbitant land and taxes such as found in California. I think of it as a game, a huge challenge to outwit mother nature. And the fruits and vegetable grown here are to die for!

Please pardon the discourse. Good luck! Misterbaby.

I appreciate all the input guys, I really do.

Fruits that require a chilling period are not a necessity in my book, in fact, fruits are an after thought and more of an added bonus in my mind. Vegetables, specifically tomatoes, sweet bells, and many varieties of hot peppers are a must in my book of course. Ill definately look into those areas of Cali.

As far as Hawaii is concerned, I like the idea of a year round growing season. I would be perfectly content with what many of you probably will call a modest garden. Maybe 50 or so plants mainly consisting of the veggies I mentioned above. A single tree or two of banana, pineapple, avacado, and some citrus would be MORE then enough to make me happy.

Plus I love to dive, and the thought of fresh fish on a regular basis is intriguing beyond belief. I just looked at several 3/2/2 houses on the big island of hawaii.. not far from Hilo Medical Center (where I would be working) and several places with 3 acres of land are under $250K ... not bad, its not as populated as the other islands... but thats ok in my book.

However, that being said, theres definately huge advantages to being on the mainland and the cali recomendations will be considered.

Oh .. and Misterbaby ... I like the way you think as well .. Ild be interested in hearing more about your greenhouse experiences .. surely your not able to grow year round with something as simple as a greenhouse??

I didnt realize they were that effective ... and could very well throw a curve ball in my thought process.

Hmmmmmmmmm..........fresh fish, locally grown coffee, warm sandy beaches, pineapples in the back yard.........I RECANT! Plop down your 250k and move to the Big Island. Run, don't walk! Good luck. Misterbaby.

Hi Ozzz,
Might I suggest that you consider factors such as rainfall/ access to other water sources and pest/disease pressure as well as temperature?

No point buying land with a view to gardening if you're going to find yourself in continuous drought. While it's impossible to know future climate for sure, the predictions made many years ago of change to rainfall patterns where I live has been spot on, so that might be worth thinking about in regards to your own short-listed locations.

Similarly, if the water supply comes from aquifers that are being used at unsustainable rates (as so many of them are!), that area might not be a good place to settle.

In terms of pest/disease pressure, tropics often suffer more with fungal-type problems because of warm moist conditions. Areas with year-round growing seasons also often have earlier arrival of insect and mite pests in spring because without the hard freeze populations can overwinter successfully.

Just some things to consider. Other issues might be the geology as it influences soil types, potential mineral deficiencies etc.

Just some thoughts...

Tops on the list for me would be a warm coastal locale in California, Florida, Hawaii, or maybe Houston, Charleston SC, Wilmington NC, Savannah GA... Excellent post by the way, misterbaby.

I have to second Ausbirch - I lived in Sonoma and Marin county (north SF Bay area - wine country!) and gardening there was TOUGH. The soil is concrete hard, no rain for months on end and certain bug populations were very problematic. Water is very hard to come by without $$$.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade - just want you to know more than what the pictures show....

Speaking of rain, did you know that Hilo gets 130 to 200" of rain a year? The warm beaches are mostly on the Kona side but they don't have much sand because Hawaii is the youngest island in the chain. You'd also be living on an active volcano so a little research on vog and rift zones might change your mind ; )

Peppers and tomatoes? Check out fruit flies and pepper weevils. Ouch!

My advice is to select a location with deep, fertile soil, and mild, temperate growing conditions. Think about how you will be delivering water to your garden and where it will be coming from. My mind wandered to California when i first read your post but i don't really know the area.
Maybe drop into some of the state or regional forums here on Gardenweb for some insight into local growing challenges.

It's an enviable position you are in, enjoy the ride.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fruit flies-Not those little counter gnats

Thanks a bunch for the input guys ... rainfall is definately a concern I suppose. Additionally, and I know I mentioned this above but I should mention again teh ability to garden obviously isnt the only consideration in something as big as a relocation .. but it is a huge factor that Im considering ...

Cali sounds great ... but you cant grow if you cant water and Ill need to look into the water shortage. Hawaii will certainly get enough rain ... but the soil and insect pests. Whereever I go composting will be a priority .. regardless... so the soil quality can be fixed to an extent ...

gracias on the input once again .. Im open to hearing more opinions if anyone should have them!!

I grow in So. Cal - not far from San Diego - along the coast. Growing all year long is great, and we eat something out of the garden all year long.

On the negative side - we are now on water rationing - 3 days a week, before 10:00 a.m. It is still enough for our needs, but I've prepared for it - with lots of ground covering mulch for my fruit trees, and around the veggie areas. No rain - hardly - except in late winter and early spring.

Peppers grow well - but our cool summers, make them slow to ripen if at all - but lots of green ones. Hot peppers are easier to deal with.

California has a lot of microclimates - sometimes changing just a few miles apart. Commercial growers of strawberries especially like the coastal areas, near the lagoons - which maintain even temps for longer growing time. Flowers are especially happy here - and grown commercially, except more and more growers are "moving south" because of high water and land taxes now.

Napa and the valleys - with better soil and water conditions mean less added supplements of compost, fertilizers, amendments - as opposed to the sandy coastal areas.

All-in-all, it would depend mainly on what crops you want to grow. Gilroy, Ca., is known as the "Garlic Capital of the World" - some areas grow almonds better than others.

Our near-by desert areas have some of the finest pink grapefruit - which requires high temps to bring out their sweetness, and the thick skins can protect the fruit while it is growing - from the swings in temperature from near freezing to double digit heat.

The Salton Sea area grows some of the country's winter crops - lettuce, etc., as the water from the "Sea" maintains the desert heat level at an acceptable level for growing these crops during the winter and up to the very warmest months.

Sooo - that is just my 2 c's. Still I love it here - and so just because I have a problem with rhubarb, cherries - and crops that like dormant periods, doesn't discourage me.

I must admit tho - surfboards still grow best here.

Bejay

I think I would go to one of three places:

Paso Robles, California - lots of heat, mild winters, close enough to the ocean to cool off a bit at night, and up out of the Central Valley smog a bit

Willamette Valley, Oregon - mild winters, but does get cold and drizzly for months on end. Should be able to grow cool season crops all winter, but not as much heat for the warm season crops.

Sequim, Washington - although it is in NW Washington state, it is in a rain shadow and has many more sunny days than much of the surrounding area, plus mild winters, and moderate rainfall.

Go west... I'd go from CA to Washington State... I've never lived out there, but have visited.

California grows a small amount of Mangoes down by the Salton Sea. They actually had them for sale in the SuperWalmart here in Wisconsin!

The lower humidity and mild winters would be my top reason.

Water is less of an issue north of the Sacramento river. There's more rain and less people up there.

If you really want to grow BIG vegetables, look no further then Alaska. A lot of the world record veggies are grown there. Fresh fish? You can't get any better then Alaskan Salmon/Halibut and all kinds of other seafood treats... Too bad winter may drive you to suicide :)

If you've got a greenhouse or high tunnel, you can grow good stuff anywhere... There is a book out there that has a guy growing veggies year round in zone 5...with little or no heat.

Interesting suggestions ... I looked at the oregon and washington areas suggested above, and that area looks awsome -its gorgeous up there! Problem is it looks like the AVERAGE highs in summer are 69 deg! Thats pretty low ....I realize its an average but still pretty low .... Im just not sure that would be enough heat for me (and the chilli peppers I so love).

Im out on Alaska .. you have 3 decent months out of the year ... the long, instense winters make it a no go for me ... I need mild! I dont mind a rainy winter, but snow is for the birds! lol ...

FrankTank ... any more specific info on that book?? Im in Zone 5 now and would be interested in reading or getting more information on what that guy is doing

BTW ... all your suggestions are invaluable, Im learning a lot researching those areas ... I really appreciate it and keep it coming!

Anyone with opinions Im all ears!

I'm in Santa Rosa, Sonoma co (the REAL wine country!) also known as Luther Burbank"s stompin grounds.
We do get frost and cool weather in the fall/winter, even some frosts. It's very mediteranian here. Wet in the winter and dry from May- Oct. Fog in the AM and hot in the PM during the summer.
We do a winter garden too.
If you want year round vege gardening, I would look at San Diego area. Nice and warm year round, but not too hot.

I'm in marin (the warmer part of marin) and have had a great growing season. Still picking ripe tomatoes and put my fall veggies in.
also have delicious stone fruit and growing some sub tropicals.

No water shortage here so no water rationing (at least since I have been here. Maybe back in 80's). Last storm dumped 8.5 inches but since then it has been sunny and in mid 70's.

This is where we CHOSE to live.

Here is a link that might be useful: marin gardening blog

Hi there,

A winter gardening book is "The Winter Harvest Handbook" by Eliot Coleman. He is in Maine, and has lots of good ideas for season extending. He does grow crops all year, many in unheated moveable greenhouses, and under row covers and so on. He has all kinds of good ideas.

If I really wanted to garden somewhere, I would go to soil conservation service maps and find the best soil in the area I was looking at, that I could afford, to begin with. This might save time and anguish later. I did this when I bought my house, and I am glad I did.

I really think that it mostly takes wanting to have a garden, and then the rest of the details sort of fill themselves in. Every area has it's good and bad features. I would just pick where I wanted to live, and then make a garden on the best soil I could find. Think loam....

Also, check for covenants before you buy or rent a new place. Some places around here won't even let you have tomatoes in pots on your patio.

Good luck!

I wish I could find the website of the Kendal Jackson Winery Garden that I docented at the tomato festival this year!
The chefs determine what goes into this garden and it is fabulous!Fruits, veges, herbs and TONS of tomatoes!
Sonoma Co also has Bodega Bay 25 min away, so there's your fresh fish!
Housing has dropped considerably in the area, so it is affordable.
It's known as a real foodie area. A LOT of high end eating establishments and a lot of focus on using local produce,