Make your backyard feel like a tropical vacation—even with fog, wind, and light frost.
Real-world plant guides, frost-night checklists, and simple DIY shelters tested in an actual Bay Area backyard. No guessing, just practical steps that work in Zone 9b.
First 3 guides to read
Get your plants through winter, keep roots from rotting, and build a fast, no-drill frost shelter.
How to overwinter bananas in Zone 9b
Learn exactly when to cover, how much to water, and what to prune so your bananas come back strong in spring.
Read the guide →Build a no-drill lean-to frost shelter in 45 minutes
Use EMT conduit, buckets, and a tarp to protect a whole group of plants—perfect for decks and rentals.
See the build steps →Best frost cloth for Zone 9b (tested in Novato)
Not all “plant blankets” work the same. See which weights and sizes actually held up during real frost nights.
View recommendations →What you’ll find on Bay Area Tropics
Focused, practical guides written for cool-summer, light-frost yards in the Bay Area and similar climate zones.
Plant-by-plant tropical care
Step-by-step care for bananas, plumeria, hibiscus, ginger, ti, canna, elephant ears, passionflower, and more.
- Overwintering guides for Zone 9b
- Soil mix recipes for pots and planters
- Fertilizer and watering schedules
Simple frost & wind shelters
Easy builds using EMT conduit, buckets, tarps, and frost cloth—no permanent construction required.
- No-drill lean-tos for decks and patios
- Portable sand-bucket pole bases
- Grouped plant “corrals” against warm walls
Local buying guides & gear picks
Bay Area–centric nursery tips plus honest reviews of gear that survives cool, wet winters.
- Nurseries in Marin & Sonoma that carry tropicals
- Planters, soil, moisture meters, and timers
- Mini greenhouses and covers that actually last
Get the 1-page Zone 9b Tropical Cheat Sheet
A printable, month-by-month checklist for tropical and subtropical plants in Zone 9b (Bay Area & similar climates). Perfect for bananas, plumeria, hibiscus, ginger, ti, and more.