Yesterday, the USDA released a revised "Plant Hardiness Zone Map." It is GIS based and considered more accurate because of increased reliability of data and a longer time frame of data used. Other factors were also considered in determining the appropriate zone layout.
Here is a link to the interactive map. You can enter your zip code and get a quick return on your zone. Although I was hoping for a warmer zone 5 (only so I could plant a Granny Smith applie tree), my zip now shows as zone 4b.
http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
Enjoy!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Butterfly Garden?
As I was planning to plan my 2012 garden, I was really only thinking of vegetables. But I came across this post on the University of Minnesota Extension website regarding butterfly gardening.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/DG6711e.html
And non-vegetable gardens deserve as much planning as vegetable gardens. Although I feel that by producing vegetables, I am providing for my family. However, there is an aesthetic property to having a beautiful yard that will provide season-long enjoyment for me and my family. I bet the neighbors will be thankful for a nice plot of flowers, too.
My past leanings have been for perennials. I think that was mostly driven my my frugal nature. But in the Extension's publication, I learned that butterflies mostly want nectar and that since annuals tend to bloom for long stretches of the summer, they can provide well for them. There is also a need for perennials, as they can provide variation over many seasons. Additionally, a divers planting can provide a flower bed that is more resistant to any single environmental problem.
As I continue on my planning journey, I will be considering placement of a butterfly garden.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/DG6711e.html
And non-vegetable gardens deserve as much planning as vegetable gardens. Although I feel that by producing vegetables, I am providing for my family. However, there is an aesthetic property to having a beautiful yard that will provide season-long enjoyment for me and my family. I bet the neighbors will be thankful for a nice plot of flowers, too.
My past leanings have been for perennials. I think that was mostly driven my my frugal nature. But in the Extension's publication, I learned that butterflies mostly want nectar and that since annuals tend to bloom for long stretches of the summer, they can provide well for them. There is also a need for perennials, as they can provide variation over many seasons. Additionally, a divers planting can provide a flower bed that is more resistant to any single environmental problem.
As I continue on my planning journey, I will be considering placement of a butterfly garden.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Planning to Plan
Okay, so it's only January 1st. But based on my past procrastination, I think it's not too early to get planning for the upcoming growing season. Yes, it is upcoming and time to plant seeds indoors will be here before I know it!
So, before I plant seeds, I need to reflect on past growing seasons - what worked and did not work - as well as what I want to try. Without this reflection and planning, my gardening probably will revert back to the haphazard nature of times past. I'd like to avoid as much of that as possible! Also, by planning, I feel better equipped to purchase seeds and plants. If I can start seeds for something I want in my garden, I can be sure of getting the variety I want, while hopefully saving a few pennies.
Since my planning is a process, I will be posting more information as I go through it! For now, I will be perusing the seed catalogs I have already received in the mail!
Happy gardening, already!
So, before I plant seeds, I need to reflect on past growing seasons - what worked and did not work - as well as what I want to try. Without this reflection and planning, my gardening probably will revert back to the haphazard nature of times past. I'd like to avoid as much of that as possible! Also, by planning, I feel better equipped to purchase seeds and plants. If I can start seeds for something I want in my garden, I can be sure of getting the variety I want, while hopefully saving a few pennies.
Since my planning is a process, I will be posting more information as I go through it! For now, I will be perusing the seed catalogs I have already received in the mail!
Happy gardening, already!
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