For Gardeners, Timing is Everything!

By Jos Van Hage

            What we plant and when we plant outside is dictated by weather and temperature conditions. Every year through hybridizing plant species and bringing different plants in from different countries the list of plants has gotten longer. There are a lot of trees, shrubs, and perennials however, that will not grow in Prince George because of our cold winters.

In order to have any plant survive the winter and come back again next spring you need to know what zone classification it is and what zone you are planting it in. British Columbia is divided into different zones according to temperature, climate, frost free days, wind, precipitation and humidity.  The Vancouver area being zone 9 and the far north being zone 1-2. Prince George is rated as a zone 3 so anything that is listed zone 3, 2 or 1 will grow very successfully in the Prince George area as it has been tried and proven to survive. Lately many gardeners have gotten away with planting zone 4 plants as our winters have become milder over the past few years but you never know when we may get one of those old fashioned winters! If you choose to grow a zone 4 plant it is a good idea to give it some extra winter protection by wrapping it, covering it with extra mulch or planting it in a protected spot. You may get away with growing something that is classified as a zone 4 but I wouldn’t recommend growing anything that is listed zone 5 or higher.

Every tree, shrub and perennial that is expected to survive the winter and come back again next year should have a zone number and if it does not come with a zone number do not grow it or ask someone knowledgeable on plants what zone classification it is. There are many plants such fruit trees (apple, pear, cherry), small fruits (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries etc.) ornamental trees, flowering shrubs, and perennials that have different varieties that have different zones having some varieties of which are hardier than others.

Choosing annuals is different than choosing trees, shrubs and perennials as annuals are only expected to live one season and then die so zone classification is not an issue. What to watch for when choosing different varieties of vegetables and annual flowers are days to maturity and the plants ability to withstand temperature change and its susceptibility to frost. Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, onion, leeks, radishes, spinach, carrots, peas lettuce, beets, garlic, parsnips, turnips, and rutabagas are able to handle one or two degrees of frost.

Other plants such as corn, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans and squash cannot take any frost and should be planted after all threat of frost has passed. Most annual flowers cannot withstand any frost although pansies do better in cooler temperatures. Many gardeners extend the growing season by covering frost tender plants with a frost protection blanket called ‘Reemay’ which holds a few degrees of frost off.

 For many Prince George gardeners the long weekend in May is the planting weekend. This is fine when you live in the bowl area but for those that live higher such as College Heights, the Hart and Pineview you may want to hold off for a little longer before placing your frost tender plants outside. I always like to plant after the full moon or cover the garden on a full moon as a full moon on a clear night could mean below zero temperatures.

-Jos     

Jos Van Hage owns and operates three Art Knapp's Garden Centres in the Prince George area:

-Highway 97 South at the old Cariboo Highway

-Highway 97 North

-Highway 16 West

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