Typically frost free

I dwell in Napa, CA, zone 9b and have been considering my yard could have a reasonably distinctive microclimate however I haven’t completed particular measurements or observations. I work in a technical and controlled discipline and revel in simply vibing in my pastime fruit rising. I’m on a hill and have an excellent quantity of huge tree cowl. Typically I mutter to myself concerning 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 a frost on the bottom or vegetation in my yard.

I largely develop temperate fruits however do have some subtropicals and am more and more rising tropical seeds. Final 12 months I disregarded cherimoya and longan seedlings in pots underneath deciduous oaks on the slope they usually had no injury. Avocados and White Sapote appear to do positive. This 12 months I’ve disregarded small seedlings of Abiu, Canistel, Jaboticabas, Jack/Chempedak hybrids, and varied Garcinia and Annonas. To this point, the one useless seedling is a single custard apple seedling, 2 others nonetheless positive, I’m unsure the loss of life is essentially as a consequence of chilly. One of many Abiu has some chilly injury however it’ll be positive. A Geffner atemoya exhibits some leaf injury, however this is also 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 a handful of hardy timber to plant in floor in sheltered areas that may nonetheless obtain some solar. This appears to be a mandatory steadiness I’ll want to watch. Admittedly, I’m early on this journey however I’m beginning to suppose it might be attainable to develop many of those fruits exterior in my yard in pots that may be moved to deeper shade and shelter within the winter. But it surely’ll be years but earlier than I can observe how flowers and fruits deal with the winter as I anticipate these received’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 know the way 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 an absence of frost appears to be a big profit in rising some hardier tropical vegetation.

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