Hello GardenStew. I venture from a remote location in the Interior of British Columbia, Canada. I garden in zone 2, and every once in a lovely summer I get to celebrate a kiss of zone 3a. I've been at home full time for two years now (the timing unexpectadly coordinated with the pandemic but did not result from it ). I've been able to put more time in garden success rather than survival gardening around work. Artichokes, Belgian Endive, Leeks, Tomatoes and Cucumbers are always by biggest reward, along with the usual vegetable garden endeavors. I have an indoor greens garden for the winter months. Being a cold climate/short season gardening location poses a lot of challenges. Many challenges I'm creatively working at overcoming with some old tried and true methods, and a few newer ones. Being so far away from the nearest community ( an hour and a half drive to the grocery store and admenities) means that the vegetable garden is a vital part of having fresh produce, as well as preserved for the winter months. Trips to town are bi weekly, and often thwarted with fallen trees, snow removal, high water and sadly the last few years, fires. In addition, "fresh produce" in our location is far from being fresh and one must take what they can get at the grocery store. I'm excited to have found GardenStew and am very excited to become part of it's community - with the hope of learning, sharing and laughing. And of course growing.
Melody, welcome! We are on a small farm in central Texas, so I may not be able to give much good advice on gardening for your region. We depend on our gardens for fresh and frozen vegetables, so I know how it is for you to be so far away from the usual sources. We'll all pitch in with help if asked, applause for successes, and the occasional giggle!
Hello Melody, welcome to Gardenstew where everything is warmer than zone 2. When I looked up the zones for BC I had to scrape the ice off my computer screen. Fire weeds must end flowering in September. Your experiences with growing in zone 2 should make for interesting reading. Welcome aboard. P.S. We are always interested in pictures. Jerry
Welcome Melody, you hardy soul, you! I look forward to hearing about your gardening efforts. I'm in zone 6a, New England.
T Thank you so much! You must be able to grow amazing things in Texas. I look forward to learning more and sharing about keeping a harvest. ( zucchinis...need I say more? )