In general, broccoli, greens etc. are considered to be winter veggies (even here in northern California). Tomatoes and beans are summer vegetables.

Herbs except basil do just fine in this weather year-long.

Check out the thread "is it too early to take seedlings outside?" -- just discussed last week or so. (It was started by me). I'm new to seed growing too but each year you will see plenty of threads in the vegetable season.

Here is a link that might be useful: Recent thread

hi there homey bird, yes, i saw your thread, and it gave me some good info, my broccoli did well last year where i'm at during this time of year, even though it was a weird year for alot of produce. so i'm thinking i'll try it again.

but this weather is so weird again, coupled with the fact that this is my second year, i'm just curious about what everyone else in this area (west contra costa county in particular)is doing and when.

thanks!

Lettuce you can do now. Basil and green bean seeds: sow in April. I'd just buy tomato starts...the variety available now is so amazing, why bother with seeds yourself unless you're growing 50 plants or something.
After this season, in November sow a cover crop like vetch or rye or clover in your vacant wine barrels and vacant beds. Then you can cut them down in March and let them decompose for a month in your wine barrels or beds before April or May's new planting. Improves your soil the easy and cheap way. You can always amend the old soil though if you want to before you plant.
Another veggie to grow over Winter for Spring fruit is fava beans (sow in November). Fava beans are also a decent cover crop as the roots add nitrogen to the soil. Not everyone likes the fava bean as preparation for cooking is somewhat demanding, but there are some mighty tasty recipes out there. And production is usually outstanding. Pretty plants as well.
That's some but not all I know.

I just transplanted the broccoli, cabbage and bok choi seedlings I started in January. I'm trying to get an early crop in before things heat up, and if this summer is anything like last summer, that won't be a problem. LOL

Yesterday, I started my tomatoes and peppers. I grow them in an unheated garden shed, so I tend to give them a little more time than the books tell you to. I plant my tomatoes out around 5/15, peppers around 6/1.

I'll be sowing some herbs around the first of March and putting out carrot seeds and peas at the same time.

The problem I'm finding with the Bay Area is that the microclimates are so varied it's not always easy to go by other gardener's dates. I've had such different results from people who live only a few short miles from me, you almost just have to experiment and find out what works for you.

deep roots ~ thanks for the info, as always (you've come to my rescue before). i'm struggling with when to start what, as last year my production was all over the place - i didn't get a decent tomato til september! plus, i'm so very anxious to get started, lol!! that gardening bug has bit me BIG TIME!

loribee2 ~ as to the micro climates, yes, i'm realizing this, and i guess there's no other way to figure it out than just to do if for ourselves.

but i've seen in various 'local' planting guides that now is the time for certain things i want to plant, but then the temps (lows) aren't about 50 yet, so i'm just a bit confused, but i'll figure it out. i guess i can afford it with seeds being so cheep, huh?

i'm also excited to try my hand at ordering seeds from mail order. been looking at Renee's Seeds in the central coast area.

WHAT CAN I START NOWWW!! oh, sorry, ah-hem, it's just newbie exuberance! lol! sorry...

I was in the same boat as you about one month back. I've started seeds and even taken some of those outside, and then left some others in covered pots outside. Overall it's been a great learning experience.

My tomatoes are barely surviving (some got killed due to the rain/frost this past week or so, and others are not growing growing), but I am certain that they will bolt as soon as weather turns optimal. I will get an early start that way!

To me, it's been wasteful but totally worth it. Helps me deal with my itch.

Also, if your planting area has sizable concrete/stone vicinity then I can guarantee that you will see better results. Stone and concrete retain heat better.

Hope this helps!

Well, you can definitely get help. I pulled my planting guide from the book Golden Gate Gardening. (There are three charts in there depending on where you are in the Bay Area). That's my starting base and I'll adjust it based on what works and what doesn't. (I've got a blog--HUGE help for keeping notes!) And definitely the people on these forums offer great advice. I would just take it all with a grain of salt. You'll hear people tell you what you can and can't do, but I find my experience to be vastly different from theirs. If I were you, I'd pay attention when someone tells you what you CAN do, and give it a try. If they tell you what you CAN'T, give it a try anyway.

Okay, so I guess in a round about way, that's saying you've just got to find out for yourself. LOL