Here’s why:
- Alberta is a big place – There are 750 miles (1,207 km) between Alberta’s northern border and southern border. ...
- That vast distance from north to south gives us a large reach of latitude and consequently, growing zones.
- According to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada zone map, Alberta’s growing zones range from 0 at the northern border to a zone 5 at the southern border.
What is the planting zone for Alberta?
Alberta is mostly considered Hardiness Zone 4, while some of the upper-level regions are Hardiness Zone 3. #1. Lettuce Why Grow Lettuce in Alberta?
What is the geography like in Alberta?
The province of Alberta is made up of majestic mountains, deep lakes, sweeping prairies, and vast forests. The region spans across five different planting zones (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4) and is influenced by the nearby Pacific Ocean.
What is the horticultural zone for Edmonton?
Edmonton’s horticultural zone classification seems to depend on who the source is: The Alberta Hardiness Zone Map gives Edmonton a 4a rating (-34.4 to -31.7C). The Edmonton Horticultural Society gives Edmonton a zone 3b rating (37.2 to -34.5C).
What is the plant hardiness zone map?
The “Plant Hardiness Zone Map” was originally developed in 1960 and has had several updates throughout the years. It outlines the coldest temperatures on average for different areas throughout Canada. This information helps you choose plant materials that are most likely to survive the winters in your area.
What climate zone is Alberta in?
Based on the updated map, Edmonton and some of the surrounding area is considered Zone 4a. However, with the extreme and changing weather Alberta is known for, we can still get test winters that are a Zone 2b or 3. Much of the rest of Alberta is marked as a Zone 2 or 3.
What zone is Edmonton Alberta for plants?
Alberta1961-1990 zone1981-2010 hardiness indexEdberg3b38Edgerton3a36Edmonton3b41Edson3a3510 more rows
What zone is Calgary Alberta for plants?
In 2016, Calgary's plant hardiness designation was moved from Zone 3b to Zone 4a. The new category indicates a greater variety of plants will grow in the region during an extended growing season.
What zone is Alberta in for planting trees?
Hardiness zones in Alberta range from 0 in the far north to 4b along the southern border. Since Edmonton is in zone 4a, trees with this hardiness rating are reliable choices and can survive the area's cold winters. Species assigned to zone 2 or 3 will also do well given their ability to survive in -40 Celsius weather.
Will Zone 4 plants grow in Edmonton?
While the map marks Edmonton and the surrounding area as '3a' (a 'warm' zone 3) we can grow many zone 4 plants very well and, depending on where you live, even zone 5 plants.
What zone is Banff in Alberta?
Mountain Daylight TimeTime Zone in Banff, Alberta, CanadaCurrent:MDT — Mountain Daylight TimeNext Change:MST — Mountain Standard TimeCurrent Offset:UTC/GMT -6 hoursDifference:2 hours behind New York
Will zone 3 plants grow in Calgary?
The good news from such sources is that most of Calgary is in planting Zone 3, which still affords a wide range of ornamental plants.
What are the planting zones in Canada?
In Canada, there are no areas warm enough to go beyond USDA zone 9; as such, when you're researching hardiness zones in Canada, guides go from 0-9....Hardiness Zones in CanadaVancouver: 8b.Victoria: 9b.Kelowna: 7a.Edmonton: 4a.Calgary: 4a.Saskatoon: 3b.Winnipeg: 4a.Toronto: 7a.More items...•
What growing zone is Strathmore Alberta?
Zone 4aThis plant may not be suitable except in highly sheltered locations due to Hardiness Zone 4a.
What is the fastest growing tree in Alberta?
What are the Best Fast Growing Trees in Alberta?PopularityNameClimate Zone1Lodgepole Pine1a2Villosa Lilac2a3Okanese Poplar2a4Common Purple Lilac2a21 more rows
What does Hardiness Zone 3b mean?
Challenge of Gardening in Zones 2-3 Gardening in zones 2-3 means dealing with punishing cold temperatures. In fact, the lowest average temperature in USDA hardiness zone 2 is a frigid -50 to -40 degrees F. (-46 to -40 C), while zone 3 is a whopping 10 degrees warmer.
What is the fastest growing tree for zone 3?
Fast-Growing: The oak tree is one of the fastest growing trees in Hardiness Zone 3. It can grow up to 80 feet tall and only takes a few short years to provide shade for your yard.
What can I grow in Edmonton?
Also, seed , beets, radishes, swiss chard, turnips, carrots, and onion sets can usually be sown directly into the ground around May 1st. Be sure you mark all your plants so you know what is growing in each row. By May 10th, plant potatoes, beans, and corn. Springs here in Edmonton are getting later, and later!
When should I plant my garden in Edmonton?
Planting Dates for SpringCropBased on Frost Dates Based on Moon DatesStart Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings or TransplantsBell PeppersMar 5-20 Mar 5-18May 22-Jun 5 May 30-Jun 5BroccoliMar 20-Apr 3 Apr 1- 3Apr 17-May 8 Apr 30-May 8CabbageMar 20-Apr 3 Apr 1- 3Apr 17-May 1 Apr 30-May 138 more rows
What is a Zone 4 plant?
The USDA Hardiness Zone 4 comprises some of the coldest and northernmost areas of the continental United States. It stretches in a crescent shape from northern Idaho to northern New York and New England, and from the Canadian border south into parts of the Colorado Rockies.
What are the planting zones in Canada?
In Canada, there are no areas warm enough to go beyond USDA zone 9; as such, when you're researching hardiness zones in Canada, guides go from 0-9....Hardiness Zones in CanadaVancouver: 8b.Victoria: 9b.Kelowna: 7a.Edmonton: 4a.Calgary: 4a.Saskatoon: 3b.Winnipeg: 4a.Toronto: 7a.More items...•
What is the Alberta Zone Map?
Alberta Zone Map. The “Plant Hardiness Zone Map” was originally developed in 1960 and has had several updates throughout the years. It outlines the coldest temperatures on average for different areas throughout Canada. This information helps you choose plant materials that are most likely to survive the winters in your area.
When is the first frost in Alberta?
Frost dates are arranged by region and include the first frost date of the season and the final frost date of the season. For the Medicine Hat area this means on a normal year, we can put our plants outside safely after May 20 and we will normally have our first killing frost around September 30. These are the average frost dates for Alberta and may not be reliable in a particular year as there are many variables such as micro-climates that can cause fluctuations.
When is the best time to plant in Alberta?
Albertans are subjected to limited growing seasons with a brief peak period for gardening between the months of June and September. It’s important to monitor the weather and utilize a combination of indoor and outdoor gardening to extend this growing period.
How many sunny days does Alberta have?
Alberta has a predominantly continental climate and experiences more sunshine than any other province in Canada, averaging 312 sunny days annually. Across the region, winters are typically dry, cold, and sunny, while summers can be warm and wet, with long bright days.
Can you grow plants in a greenhouse in Alberta?
Although the frost-free timeframe may be relatively short, a greenhouse will help extend the growing season in this region by several months. Alberta’s sunny climate pairs perfectly with a greenhouse by trapping the warmth and regulating the temperature inside throughout the colder seasons. Not only is this a wonderful way to maximize your growing time, but it also allows you to grow a variety of other plants that may struggle in an outdoor setting.
What is the other thing that affects Alberta’s growing zones?
The other thing that affects Alberta’s growing zones is the mountains along the western border.
What Growing Zone is Edmonton?
Explore the history of horticultural zones, what horticultural zone Alberta is, what growing zone Edmonton is, how horticultural zones benefit the home gardener, and some hardy perennials for Edmonton’s horticultural zone with us in this blog.
What is horticultural zone?
Horticultural zones provide a frame of reference as to what types of trees, shrubs, and perennial plants are most likely to survive in a region. Many books and websites have published lists of which plants will grow best for each zone. However, as you do your research, you will find incongruences between sources in the lists published.
Why do the horticultural zones of the United States wrap around the Rocky Mountains?
In the photo above, you can see how the horticultural zones of the United States wrap around the Rocky Mountains because the mountains cool the areas surrounding them. Both the east and west coastal areas make the zones higher than the central areas of the United States.
What are some examples of microclimates in Edmonton?
There are microclimates in the Edmonton region too – like near the river. Examples of this are Cloverdale and Riverdale. The river has a warming effect during the winter which can boost the average and extreme cold temperatures in those specific areas a little.
How many zones are there in Canada?
Canada’s map has 10 zones in all, ranging from 0 – 9. The smaller the number, the cooler the climate is in the designated region.
What zone is a plant in?
You may see that a plant is mentioned as a zone 3, 4, and 5 from once source, but on another it is catalogued as a 3, and 4; where on another it is recorded as a 2, 3, and 4.
How many types of eggplant are there in Alberta?
This may be one of the most underrated factors for growing eggplants in Alberta. There are almost 20 types of eggplants that can be grown. This means you can pick your type for your specific need and climate.
Is eggplant good in Alberta?
As you can tell there is a trend. Eggplants are another vegetable that does great in Alberta’s summer heat. The hotter, the better. And if there is rain expect bigger and better eggplants.
Is kale hard to grow in Alberta?
Kale is the hardiest vegetable when it comes to cold in Alberta. Unlike any other vegetable on this list, Kale can be grown throughout the entire year.
Does cabbage grow in Alberta?
Thrives in Cold: While some vegetables are cold-hardy, cabbage thrives in Alberta’s cold weather. If you want the tastiest cabbage you should grow them immediately after the last frost.
Can lettuce grow in Alberta?
Lettuce thrives in Alberta’s cold spring and cooler fall months. Unlike other vegetables, this plant can grow even when there is snow or frost on the ground.
Can you grow vegetables in Alberta?
Some require extensive care, others can only be grown outside during certain times of the year, and lots are just not simple & quick enough to grow.
Can peppers be planted in Alberta?
If you have trouble with insects infecting your vegetables in Alberta then you should plant Peppers. This vegetable is one of the few in Alberta that you won’t have to worry about insect infestation all year.
Read THIS Before Growing Shrubs in Alberta
Knowing what hardiness zone Alberta is in is critical to understanding the best shrubs that can be grown.
Additional Resources
One of the best ways to help your hydrangea grow and have beautiful blooms for years is to apply fertilizer. But applying fertilizer is tricker than it seems. Check out this article to learn about the BEST fertilizers for your specific hydrangea.
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For the best success in growing Azaleas you should plant them in an area of your yard that is protected against wind, full-sun, long periods of drought, and extremely wet soil.
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Spirea blooms are the longest-lasting blooms on this list. The versatility of this shrub makes it the most popular shrub too. It is perfect as a perennial border, groundcover, and hedges.
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Viburnum shrubs not only offer beautiful colors and are hardy, but are perfect for privacy, small spaces, and almost anywhere else you can think about in your yard.
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While butterfly bushes are beautiful to grow it should be noted that you will attract a lot of pollinators. Because pollinators will become addicted to the nectar and will not visit other native plants make sure to provide them with housing and water too!
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Honeysuckle bushes are not the invasive Honeysuckle that most gardeners know. With that being said, honeysuckle bushes still grow large and should be planted in an area of your yard that has room for it to grow.
Where are the planting zones 12 and 13?
Planting Zones 12 and 13. Planting Zones 12 and 13 are not found in the continental United States, but are located in both Hawaii and Puerto Rico. These two plant hardiness zones are extremely warm, tropical environments that are best suited for plants tolerant of intense heat.
What is a planting zone?
Planting zones are areas you can find on a growing zone map that show exactly which plants are best suited to thrive in your given area, or zone. When shopping for new plants for your garden landscape, the terms “plant hardiness zones,” “growing zones” and “planting zones” may at first seem a bit confusing.
What is Plant Hardiness?
Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing climates such as drought , flooding, heat and cold. The science behind plant hardiness can be complicated. Plant genetics determine the ability of a plant to withstand cold temperatures without damage. Each cultivar of a plant may have different hardiness levels based on their adaptations and genetics. Even different parts of a plant may be hardy in different ways. For example, the cold may cause your beloved perennial to die; however, the roots might be hardy enough to bring new growth in the spring.
What is a hardiness zone?
In essence, plant hardiness zones have been used by growers for years to simply identify the plants that are most likely to survive the winter in their area. Being able to understand a hardiness zone map means you’ll have a starting point for making wise planting decisions.
What is Zone 4?
Planting Zone 4 covers the southern coastal areas of Alaska, northern areas of the United States and high elevations found in the western mountains. These unique climates share minimum average temperatures of between -30 to -20 degrees F. Planting in this zone is less challenging than in colder zones, but the short growing season impacts both vegetables and flower bloom times.
What is the coldest zone for planting?
Planting Zone 1. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 1 is the coldest zone designation for the United States. With minimum average temperatures between -60 to -50 degrees F, it can be a difficult zone for gardening. The majority of Zone 1 is located in Alaska.
What is the average temperature in Zone 1?
Zone 1 can expect minimum average temperatures of -60 to -50 degrees F#N#Zone 1a has a minimum average temperature of -60 to -55 degrees F#N#Zone 1b has a minimum average temperature of -55 to -50 degrees F#N#Each of the two subzones can experience harsher temperatures depending on weather conditions.
What is the temperature range for planting zones?
These are areas which range in minimum temperatures from -60 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why do planting zones matter?
Why Planting Zones Matter. If you’ve ever put in the effort to start your plants from seeds, or you’ve shelled out the money to plant a garden from seedlings someone else has started, you understand why planting zones matter. Planting a garden is an investment of both time and money.
What temperature do perennials need to survive?
For instance, if you’re planting in zone 9A, the plant must be able to survive a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit to be a perennial.
Why is it more accurate to use planting zones?
It’s more accurate to use planting zones because it’s measured by the climate which can be different in areas in proximity to each other.
What is the coldest zone in the US?
1A is the coldest zone in the US which averages a minimum winter temperature of -60 degrees Fahrenheit. 13B is the warmest zone which averages a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. When deciding what to plant in each zone, the plant must be able to thrive in a climate with such low temperature.
How long does it take for plants to grow in Alaska?
For instance, it’s common for people in parts of Alaska only to have a three-month growing season . Whereas people in zone seven through ten can produce a variety of plants practically year-round. If you’re unsure how to determine which plant grows in what zone and when, then use a planting schedule based on your area.
How many zones are there in a state?
Zones can vary in your region. Some states can have two or more zones in their state alone.
