Weather plays a huge role in gardening and it’s important to understand the proper seasons and weather before you plant.

Often climates can be predicted by what season it is. When you think of Summer you think of hot. When you think of Spring you think of warm. Winter is cold and Autumn is well, getting colder. However, depending on your region you might experience the seasonal weather differently and so does your garden. For example, here at The Worm Farm Portland in Newberg, Oregon, regardless of the season we’re in, we’re experiencing weather much more differently than in Southern California or Florida.

Based on the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) plant hardiness zone map, you can check your regions general temperatures. This hardiness zone map divides North America into 11 different zones by minimum average annual temperatures. Hardiness refers to how well a plant will survive in colder temperatures. However, it does not account for freeze dates, snow, thaw cycles, precipitation or storms. This map is not very important for annual plants but if you plan on planting perennials or once a year plants in your garden then it is important to understand the map as well as the weather in your general area. Here’s why:

In Oregon, our hardiness zone ranges from 4b to 9b. The southern coastal region is the warmest with winter extreme lows of 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest regions in the state may drop as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s a big difference! This changes when you should start planting during the season. To avoid transplant shock, you would have to be in temperatures 50 degrees Fahrenheit and above consistently. The best time of year to do start planting in Oregon depending on your plant types would be between the last frost date and first frost date.

Aside from the last frost date and the first frost date, pay attention the current weather outside.

·      Too much heat can be fatal to your plants. Keep them well hydrated during heat waves and try watering them in the morning and in the evening. This avoids the water evaporating and stress on the plant. You don’t want your plant using too much energy during a heat wave. To add to the heat of a hot summer’s day, wind enhances evaporation and transpiration causing rapid dehydration to your garden.

·      If the weather is inconsistent with temperature and falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you will risk transplant shock.

·      Plants thrive with sunlight so make sure the sun is out more than the clouds are.

·      Too much precipitation can be harmful too. If your garden doesn’t have enough drainage, too much water can cut off oxygen supply to the roots of your plants and wash too many nutrients away from the soil. Knowing your seasonal rainfall will help.