Typically frost free

I dwell in Napa, CA, zone 9b and have been pondering my yard might have a reasonably distinctive microclimate however I haven’t performed particular measurements or observations. I work in a technical and controlled discipline and luxuriate in simply vibing in my pastime fruit rising. I’m on a hill and have an excellent quantity of enormous tree cowl. Typically I mutter to myself in regards to the degree of shade however over time I’ve come to understand the frost safety. On chilly mornings with ice on the windshield out entrance and frost on the bottom behind my property, there isn’t any frost on the bottom or crops in my yard.

I principally develop temperate fruits however do have some subtropicals and am more and more rising tropical seeds. Final yr I omitted cherimoya and longan seedlings in pots beneath deciduous oaks on the slope and so they had no harm. Avocados and White Sapote appear to do effective. This yr I’ve omitted small seedlings of Abiu, Canistel, Jaboticabas, Jack/Chempedak hybrids, and varied Garcinia and Annonas. To date, the one useless seedling is a single custard apple seedling, 2 others nonetheless effective, I’m unsure the demise is essentially as a consequence of chilly. One of many Abiu has some chilly harm nevertheless it’ll be effective. A Geffner atemoya reveals some leaf harm, however this may be additional stress from the Geffner struggling in warmth waves a pair months in the past. All of the cherimoyas are doing higher than this one atemoya to date. And a cherilata is doing nice.

I’m hoping to pick out a handful of hardy bushes to plant in floor in sheltered places that may nonetheless obtain some solar. This appears to be a essential steadiness I’ll want to look at. Admittedly, I’m early on this journey however I’m beginning to assume it might be attainable to develop many of those fruits outdoors in my yard in pots that may be moved to deeper shade and shelter within the winter. Nevertheless it’ll be years but earlier than I can observe how flowers and fruits deal with the winter as I anticipate these gained’t be as hardy because the tree itself.

Even when I stay frost free, it’s fairly chilly, dipping beneath 30F primarily based on a climate app. I don’t understand how a lot that modifications. Frost formation appears to be extra damaging than chilly air. I’m certain I can’t develop actually tropical fruits like Mangosteen, Rambutan, or Durian. However a scarcity of frost appears to be a major profit in rising some hardier tropical crops.

Any ideas or solutions are welcome! I would get extra of a style for measuring and monitoring as I am going, however presently I choose to run a bit wild and free by way of my hobbies, so no guarantees, although I admire any concepts and who is aware of what would possibly encourage me.