Gardens are full of living and breathing plant life, meaning they adapt to seasonal changes, in many ways, just like we do. Location plays a massive role in determining how you will garden, especially if you live in a place with all four seasons. How you approach a garden in Seattle, Washington will vary, at times dramatically, from how you approach a garden in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Knowing your environment is key to helping ensure the growth and success of your garden, and a huge component of knowing your environment is understanding the seasons. For instance, here in Charlotte, North Carolina, we don’t experience drastic weather like other areas of the country. While there are changes in the weather, the winters are relatively mild compared to other areas.
Plant life can grow year-round depending on its characteristics and needs. Your Charlotte NC landscape and/or garden may require different materials during the summer than it would during the winter. There are materials out there that can ease the transition between seasons and help you maintain a healthy garden year-round.
Understanding Hardiness Zones and Their Impact on Seasonal Gardening
Hardiness zones were developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help people understand the specific features of their region. Hardiness zones provide you with information related to when you should plant, in turn also helping you understand what you should plant. Your location will determine when you should be planting as it varies based on the zone.
Charlotte North Carolina, for example, is interesting because it belongs to two different hardiness zones 7b and 8a. Yep, if you’re located in Charlotte, you’ll fall into one of these two zones, and that information can be priceless when trying to raise your garden.
Hardiness zones help you learn about the environment and planting conditions in your local area. By understanding what they are and how they work, you can also better prepare for the changing of the seasons.
For example, the wettest month in Charlotte is August. Charlotte receives a considerable amount of rain, especially depending on where you’re located within the city limits. As a result, preparing for months with heavier rainfall can be accomplished by finding materials that help promote drainage and are self-aerating.
Over time as the environment changes, you’ll want to stay vigilant in understanding how those changes affect your gardening style. Properly researching and then subsequently preparing your garden for seasonal changes can save you a lot of time and money.
Seasonal Materials: Knowing When to Buy Them
Hardiness zones tell us a lot about planting conditions, including when to plant. People commonly believe that planting in the spring and harvesting in the late summer and fall is the general trajectory for garden rearing. However, there are locations where you can plant all year round. If you do live in a place that allows for year-round growth, knowing exactly when to plant can make the difference. Following the schedule according to hardiness is also highly beneficial.
Hardiness zones not only prepare you for what to plant and when, but they can also help you dictate when to use other materials. For example, fertilizing is a time-honored technique that is known for increasing plant health. On the other hand, knowing when to fertilize can be just as important as picking the right fertilizer. A springtime fertilizer can help cultivate an environment ideal for lush growth.
At a local garden supply store like Andolina Materials, you can find the right type of products based on the time of year. Our experts can help answer any questions about seasonal products, including when to use them, and why to use them. There are certain circumstances where you might choose one type of product over another, simply due to the time of year and the demands that certain seasons put on your garden. Certain materials like topsoil and fertilizer can vary based on the time of year, and the needs of your garden.
Plant According to Your Location with Native Species
If you want your garden to prosper all year round, it’s paramount to choose an ideal plant. Every region has its own set of native plants. These plants are exactly what they sound like, plants that are native to the area. By design, native plant life flourishes in its environment, because it has adapted to it. If you’re frustrated because you’ve been unable to sustain a year-round garden, make sure that you’re planting at the proper time. If this doesn’t seem to be the issue, verify that the plant you’re seeking to rear is native to the area. This not only increases your chances of success but also helps eliminate seasonal challenges that may be detrimental to other plant life.
By choosing native plants you can help eliminate other seasonal preparations that can sometimes cause you to seek out other materials. It is still a good idea to choose materials based on the season, and this can be done by consulting staff at your local gardening supply center. They can typically lead you in the right direction, while also explaining the dos and don’ts behind purchasing seasonal materials.
Don’t Panic- You’ll Get the Hang of it.
Admittedly, planting and preparing your garden according to seasons can be tricky. Especially here in Charlotte where there are two hardiness zones within the city limits. At Andolina Materials, we can help you identify your location, and choose the right materials based on the specific variables and features that come with your garden. Nevertheless, Charlotte is a special place where there are year-round growth opportunities, especially for perennials.
In the end, pay close attention to where you’re located and the climate around you. Adapting to where you are exactly can make the difference between a good garden and a great garden. Finding your hardiness zone is often the first step. From there, you can choose the correct materials, depending on the current season and the challenges that accompany the current season.
To learn more about our high-quality seasonal landscaping materials and explore our wide range of landscape supply and delivery options in Charlotte, NC, and Charlotte Greater area, including Matthews and Monroe, among others, visit our website at https://andolinamaterials.com or give us a call today at (704) 882-1610. Andolina Materials is here to assist you with all your seasonal landscaping material needs!
