This is my first real garden year in my new house after all the infrastructure has been placed. I am still figuring out which ecosystems are better for growing which plants.
You would think in the Central Valley of CA that you could grow everything, but that is not the case. This year has been too damned hot with too many days over 100 degrees. I have hooped and shaded some of my raised beds and still learning how and when to adjust that. The squash seem to love the shaded soil for their roots when they can tumble over the sides of the bed and let the leaves spread and collect sun. Once they are over the edge they run and grow like gang busters.
I have had issues with my tomatoes and fruit trees. I live near the Delta and have rats. I caught a bunch with snap and electric traps, but they seem to be wise to the traps now. They didn't touch my blueberries, figs or pears but stripped my peaches, apples and first year grapes. I caught all of my rats using apple pieces. Anyone else have varmint issues and how do they address them?
I have had difficulty planting lettuce for the fall. I think it is too hot. I have shaded the bed and water thrice daily, but nothing seems to germinate.
So, if I can get the rats under control, this years harvest will be mainly squash, beans, cucumbers, mellons, blueberries, figs and pears.