Monday, March 14, 2011

Questions...

Perhaps the hardest part about transitioning my garden to zone 4 is the question of what is hardy. With the most recent update of zone boundaries last year (or was it the year before) my garden was very much on the border of zone 4/5 but now falls all the way in zone 5. I am moving to northern part of zone 4. I'm spending hours online trying to figure out what is marginally hardy up there, and coming up with some confusing answers.
Some of the plants I am most worried about include Rose of Sharon- both Blue Satin:
and Lavender Chiffon.

Some of my hardy gernaiums are rated only to zone 5.

And I'm uncertain about some of my perennial hibisucus as well.

Most hollyhocks seem like they'll be okay up there- but once in awhile I come upon a rating that scares me. I am still going to take my 'Creme de Cassis' seeds with me!

I'm not looking forward to feeling like a newbie again. And also having to wait longer for spring.
Sigh.
I've been winter sowing, and starting my dahlias to keep busy.
Happy gardening!

4 comments:

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Sad to think you have to move but exciting for you to get to start over too(-: Now you have all the experience of what you want to do and what will work best(-: I am sure your new garden will be even better(-:
I dug up plants to move here too, even though we moved across town...(-: I couldn't bare to leave my friends behind!!!(-: They all grew wonderfully and made my new home feel more like my old home(-: Plus that made it cheaper to get started too!(-:
Even though it was just across town the soil was completely different. Much better but a new learning experience for me.
I can't wait to see your new home!

Jamie Rex said...

Thanks, Cindee. I am excited for a fresh start! And, like you said, I think I'll have an instant garden for next to nothing (outside the cost of a u-haul, the army won't move my plants).
They really are friends. The excitement of rearrnging them with my years of experience behind me is consuming me! I bought a sketch book. :)

Shady Gardener said...

Moving will begin a new adventure. We didn't move far, but we moved from sun to shade a few years ago. It's been an exciting change of pace. :-)

Jamie Rex said...

Yes, I am excited for the adventure part of it. One house we are both loving right now has a sloped front yard, another has a completely blank pallette- not a single thing growing. Excited to play!