When To Plant Weather and soil conditions are the 2 major influences on a garden.
CLIMATE ZONES Every country is divided into Climate Zones. It’s a map showing areas that have similar growing conditions based on a combination of average temperatures and rainfall. Geographical features such as mountains, large or small lakes, forests, prevailing winds, and relation to urban areas and lots of other factors influence each zone. Your own garden could even be a microclimate within a zone! The plants you choose for your garden should be hardy to your zone or they won’t flourish no matter how fertile the soil is. For example: your home is in Zone 8 England but the garden is protected from the wind by a row of trees and a low fence along the northwest side of your house. Your garden could have a microclimate of Zone 9 England. This means you could try to grow some plants that normally wouldn’t be hardy to your area. Refer to a good gardening book or contact your local garden centre to find out which Climate Zone your area is in. This will help you choose plants that are appropriate for your garden. Seed packets, garden books and the local nursery will help you choose the flowers, herbs, vegetables and shrubs that should flourish in your garden. Don’t forget to note in your Garden Journal when the weather turned warm enough to start preparing your garden plot for planting. Preparing Your Garden Plot The ground in your garden has been holding moisture all winter and spring. You will have to perform a ’ball test’ to see if it’s ready to be worked. Pick up a handful of soil and squeeze it firmly into a ball.
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