@Backyardfeast - thread hijacks are good when they are gardening - plus it all relates to my goal, right?
Some years we are hot, some years we are not. I've had years when the hardy hibiscus were amazing, and years when they never bloomed, it never got hot enough. Plus I see changes - I never used to think I could get a fall crop of peas in, but I am going to try this year, our falls have been milder and frosts later. Spring frosts are not necessarily kinder, though. And tomato growing season is late May to mid-September, a bit longer if we are lucky. And yes, by mid-September it is cooling off enough that things really slow down.
Same with water - wet summers, dry summers, summers where we get both - the consistency in the climate here is that it isn't consistent. I always plant a bunch of different varieties, because something will do well - I just don't know ahead of time which something ;-) How tough are municipalities on water use in dry spells? I self-monitor here, being on a well - the gardens get watered as needed, the lawn never.
I have already found Erica's blog, thank you - very interesting seeing the differences.
