Understanding 5a

Bend, OR zone:5a

When I see something that grows in zone 5-9 does this include 5a? I know it might be a silly question but we are a lot colder where I live than in town. I am 500 ft higher than where town is. Is 5a closer to 4 (assuming 4 is on the colder less growth friendly side of the scale...) Should I consider my self something else because I am not the same as where we are measured?

I have a lot of stuff that is zoned for 5-9 an it rarely survives the winter.

Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Ginger

yes, 5a is on the colder side of 5... 5b would be closer to zn6, more or less. I've never gardened (except pots on a deck) in anything below z8 so I have no experience, but here are a couple other things to think about that I've seen mentioned. Do you stay consistently cold and frozen there or do your temps fluctuate? And, is it dry and cold or wet and cold (I'm thinking dry?) I've read that those things can affect hardiness quite a bit, depending on what the plant needs. I was just reading that rosemary survives better in dry winters than wet (still z7, I think, but an example anyway. :) )

Usually it's dry with lots of snow but this year everything is soaked. We've been warmer than normal.

Who knows! I brought my rosemary in the house because it was looking pretty bad.

Ginger

I think snow and wind make a difference, too. Snow acts as an insulator and wind is desiccating?

You should watch and see what's died over this winter and see if there are differences with all the wet (there probably will be some, I'd think.) Have you noticed any commonaliites in where things that tend to live or die are planted? Any particular type of plant that's particularly consistent at dying or living? Also, could there be some difference in the soils or voles underground, or???

Yeah, I think you'd have to overwinter your rosemary inside if you want it to survive. Smells so good, It would be awfully nice to have it in the house in the winter anyway. It usually overwinters here in the ground for me. Even so, in 08's snow and cold I lost about half of it. I'm hoping it won't be as bad this year.


Sue

Sue, most of the Rosemary here died last winter. right now I'm afraid if we get a cold snap or I should say when we get a cold snap, all the plants that are buddy up right now because of this warm weather are at risk. I have those emergency blankets to throw over plants when we have a flash freeze. hopefully that will get them through the cold. Jim

Jim, yes, I've been kind of worrying about how mild it's been this last week or so too. I've even had more than half the plants that live over winter in the garage outside. They're easy, I just put them back in the garage when the weather turns again, but all the other things in the ground that have started to wake up I'm a little worried about.

I think even within your assigned zone, you will find your own micro-climates -- a cold sink, protected warmer area, etc. As a Zone 8-er, I've never paid much attention to plant species, I figure if they are selling it at a local nursery it must be hardy enough. My sister, a Zone 5-er, must be much more cautious about specific cultivars, etc. Makes me appreciate my temperate garden all the more.

Zoning only reflects coldest (anticipated) temps. It does not take into effect the mass of other destructive issues. Including soil types that have differing amounts of humus that heats the soil in PacNW that takes care of root structure with sudden and short temp extremes. If you live on glacial till and no soil amendments life ends for unestablished plants with the frequent 20F days that occur in Pac NW. Snow or no snow. Living in Montana I learned that with "new " beds not caring for my plants until the soil structure deepened with my worm friends. Mature beds keep the same plant that dies in new ones.

Oh, good! I was really hoping you'd pop in here, Sofer! I'm glad someone who has experience can help out.

Bonehead, yeah, I agree, but that winter gardening break sounds kind of nice sometimes, too. :)

Susy, I agree there are advantages both ways. I get to dig around most of the year whereas my sister gets more couch time to plan things out and as you say take a break. I have weeds growing year-round, sis has snow cover. She is chomping at the bit when the thaw finally arrives and hits it with gusto, whereas by that time I might be a bit tuckered out... She also has a very definitive and early killing frost so gets her garden all tucked in for winter whereas I tend to nurse things along much longer than I should and often don't get enough winter protection on my half-hardy plants (=death). Here's the real kicker for us though -- 85+ is good for sis, but I undergo a general melt-down at about 75. So, we're each in good places, and appreciate visiting one another. I find shade in her garden, and she seeks sun at mine. It's all good.

I never assume zonal plants over 1 zone higher since I have moved into my Montana from Bellevue environs. I have tried many and found many to work but I have to make soil perfect, plant appropriatly, Select mature plants, or look for varieties that are successfull in your area and take cuttings and use those genetics. I enjoy the challenges of zone 4b and have many dead zone 5 plants but also many successful zone 5 plants.
This is a zone 5 Elderberry (according to tag) and it after maturing has thrived in its protected area.

I never assume zonal plants over 1 zone higher since I have moved into my Montana from Bellevue environs. I have tried many and found many to work but I have to make soil perfect, plant appropriatly, Select mature plants, or look for varieties that are successfull in your area and take cuttings and use those genetics. I enjoy the challenges of zone 4b and have many dead zone 5 plants but also many successful zone 5 plants.
This is a zone 5 Elderberry (according to tag) and it after maturing has thrived in its protected area. I died to the groung for 3 years.