Page 36 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 136

36 Issue #136 May 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

Let it Grow – ‘Zone’ in, to Plant with Confidence

By Marion Dalley hardiness. The information tag
most often notes the name of the
eing knowledgeable about plant, sun/shade requirements,
Bthe Zone type, soil type, which zone the plant does well in,
and weather conditions are expected size at full growth, and
very important components for often, soil type needed and bee/
gardeners. Gardening is not an butterfly attraction.
inexpensive hobby, and none of us I often like to begin by noting
want to spend money just to see the plants that I personally
failure in the garden. We need to find attractive and that attract
know the zone we are living in, and pollinators. These are my personal
plant accordingly.
criteria. Yours could be very
We live in a zone that seems to be different. You might like flowers Photo Submitted
a combination of 5 and 6. Cornwall, of the colour yellow only, or only
paying attention to what grows from many sources. Zone in, do
Morrisburg, Embrun, and Ottawa ground-cover plants. Other criteria
well, since they have the same your homework, and Let it Grow.
all list as Zone 5B, where winter might be shade-only, or full-sun
type of soil as I do. Remember, Happy Plotting!
temperatures go down to -26˚ C. only, growth under a canopy, or
when you see a beautiful plant at
To be fair, I think that our winter the need to have climbers to cover WHAT ARE
your mother-in-law’s, who lives in
temperatures are not falling quite unsightly fences or walls. The list is Oakville, Ontario, it may grow very HARDINESS ZONES?
that low anymore. endless! I am constantly checking differently in your garden, which
Every plant you buy should out my neighbours’ gardens, is in a different growth zone, and As everyone knows, every plant
come with information of ‘zone’ may have vastly different growing requires a specific set of conditions
to survive, such as:
conditions.
Cornwall’s Oldest Paint, • Climate
Blind & Shutter Store. I say research is your best friend.
Family owned Business Since 1988 • Weather
Read Master Gardener blogs, join • Temperature
Presents “Famous Sports Quotes” and go to meetings of your local • Drainage

gardener’s club, sign out plant books • Elevation

“You can have results or excuses, not both. and magazines from the library, and • Precipitation
google is always at your fingertips.
Arnold Schwarzenegger • Air quality
It even makes for a lovely outing • Soil composition
on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon • Shade
to go to your favourite local garden • • Sunlight
center, taking the time to read
And more!
labels, making notes of your likes But, while everyone is aware that
and wishes, doing some learning. plants have different needs, some
Then you can take the information people don’t know how to find out
home to do some more research, as what plants will thrive where. Enter
well as determining where in your the plant hardiness zones guide,
garden scheme these purchases will an easy way to help people learn
be homed. about which plants can most easily
The next time you pay a visit survive where they live.
to the garden centre, you will be
Since 1988 prepared to shop wisely, purchasing • Rhododendron: zones 4-8
Celebrating 37 years from your list of viable plants, and • Red Cedar: zones 2-9

Quality & Service At The Right Price! resist the temptation of impulse • Azalea: zones 5-9
Paints, Blinds, Shutters buying. • Aloe: zones 9-11
240 Pitt Street • 613-933-8924 • www.jas-mar.com Success in the garden comes • White pine: zones 2-7
Black spruce: zones 2-5
•