Learning Center
Grow more food.
Waste less time.
In-depth growing guides and planning tools built for food gardeners in Northern California. Written from the ground up in Anderson, CA — Zone 9b, triple-digit summers, and all.
Start here
Featured Guides
Companion Planting Guide
Which plants help each other grow — and which ones should never share a bed. Practical companion planting for food gardens, with Northern California timing notes.
Seed Starting Instructions
When to start seeds indoors vs. direct sow, what equipment actually matters, germination temperatures by crop, and how to harden off transplants for Northern California heat.
Everything in the Learning Center
Growing Guides
In-depth guides on planting methods, soil health, pest management, and crop-specific advice.
Explore →
Planning Tools
Calculators and planners to figure out what to grow, when to plant it, and how much space you need.
Explore →
Know Your Zone
Zone lookup, frost date reference, and a full 52-week growing task calendar for Northern California.
Explore →
Browse by Topic
Free tools
Garden Planning Tools
Family Food Security Garden Planner
Set your USDA zone, enter your family size, choose crops, and build a practical planting plan with crop counts, square footage, yields, and seasonal timing.
Know Your Growing Zone
Use Northern California presets or manually choose USDA Zones 3 through 10 to get planting guidance, crop fit notes, and seasonal timing context.
Flagship feature
What should I do in the garden this week?
A 52-week growing task calendar for Northern California gardeners. Updated by city and zone — not generic national advice. Select your city and see exactly what to plant, maintain, and harvest right now.
Get this week's tasks →Currently
9b
Anderson, CA
Beyond the Garden
This is a working family farm, too
The Learning Center grows out of a real homestead in Anderson, CA. Meet the flock, get on the egg list, and follow the build.
The Flock
Plymouth Barred Rock chickens
Meet the heritage breed at the center of the farm — and why we chose it.
Visit →
Eggs
Seasonal farm fresh eggs
Pasture-raised eggs with local pickup near Anderson and Redding.
Visit →
Journal
Notes from the farm
Honest field notes on the flock, the garden, and homestead projects.
Visit →
Growing Guides
Get Weekly Growing Tips
Practical Northern California planting notes, seasonal timing, and guide updates.