Utilize all "season extender" options you can afford (reemay, cold frames, greenhouses, shade cloth, etc.). In the early Spring and late Fall, sometimes two layers of reemay would be a good idea, or the heavier type offered by Peaceful Valley Farm Supply. Don't plant summer crops before June 1 if you live in the valley. The climate is somewhat more moderate higher up in the hills in the summer and more severe in the winter. Don't expect anyone in Laytonville to venture "average" first and last frost dates, as there is no such thing as "average" here. However, June 1 and October 1 are "reasonably safe, inspite of the fact that it has snowed here in July! It frequently snows in April, so don't be fooled by the frequent false Springs between January and May. It is difficult to grow warm-weather crops in the valley, as the low temperature most nights is in the 40's, and only occasionally does it get as high as the low 50's. While this is great for sleeping comfort, the tomatoes and peppers aren't so thrilled. Weather in Laytonville gives new meaning to the term "micro-climates". Your next-door neighbor may have considerably different conditions at any given time than you have. There is actually a product which works to repel gophers and moles, but many people seem to not want to believe it. It is called "Moletov Cocktail" and is a product of a company in Mendocino village called "Nottonightdeer". (Their first product was deer repellent.) This product is 100% caster bean oil, and is sprayed with water from a container like the MiracleGro ads. It may take 3 sprayings about a week apart, and perhaps first thing in the Spring after the rains, but it works by making the ground either smell or feel bad to the critters, and they gladly go elsewhere. Sparetime Supply sells their products, and they also have a website. The easiest (legal) plant to grow in Laytonville is Calendula. The hardest plant to grow (least likely to produce fruit) is apricots. Indian Peach and Late Santa Rosa Plum trees survive late frosts fairly well. Hardest weed to get rid of is Star Thistle.