Gardening in a New Locale

Steps to take when learning to garden after moving to a new location.

  • Topic: Garden Design
  • Author: By Mary Ann Walz
  • Keywords: Gardening,New locations,determining your zone with the USDA., Garden Design, gardens
  • Date: January 2005

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You’ve just moved to Santa Fe from Chicago or from Albuquerque to Atlanta. You’re an experienced gardener in your old home, but now just look at this soil! If you moved to fertile land, lucky you. But if you moved to the West from somewhere with rich soil, don’t throw up your hands and quit. You can still be a gardener. Really. But does one go about learning to garden in a new locale?

Determine Your Zone

The Department of Agriculture establishes plant hardiness zones based on the coldest temperature that can be expected in a particular area. The system groups large geographic areas into specific numbered zones. Many plant catalogs have your zone listed on the address label. This is a start, but many computer systems that assign these zones aren’t always correct. Every catalog I get says I live in zone 5, but it’s really zone 4. Many publications have maps of the zones, but to be really safe, talk to the County Extension Service in your new area to get information on winter temperatures.

What kind of Soil do you have?

What kind of soil do you have? You can a test for drainage by digging a hole about 12 inches deep then filling with water. If it drains slowly, your soil has lots of clay; whereas, if it drains quickly there’s lots of sand. The addition of organic matter will help alleviate either problem. Is your soil rich in nutrients? The only sure way to find out is to test for nutrients and soil type. Again, check with the County Extension Service.

Climate and your Growing Season

Find out the average rainfall during the growing season and which months it usually occurs. Also, check conditions such as humidity and seasonal winds. When are the dates of your last average frost in spring and the first average frost in fall? Knowing these kinds of information will help you decide what kind of plants will be best suited for your area. For example, a very drought tolerant plant that does well in Albuquerque will likely struggle in Atlanta where there is lots more rain. A plant that needs a long, hot growing season will struggle in cold, short growing season areas.

Gardening Resources

If you live in the western US, our High Country Gardens catalog is an excellent reference text for perennials, ornamental grasses and native plants. It is used by many knowledgeable master gardeners and landscapers to learn out about suitable plants and waterwise growing techniques. The County Extension Service can help with almost any gardening question in any location. A botanical garden in a new area is another good resource. Also, demonstration gardens offer plenty of ideas on plants that work well in local conditions. Join a garden club, native plant group, or other similar organization. Most will have educational programs, and it’s a great opportunity to talk with fellow gardeners who are more experienced in your new geographic area.

Look Around

Observe what grows well in your new community. If you see a plant in someone’s yard that you can’t identify, be plucky and walk up to the door, and ask. Or check with a local horticulturist to identify it based on your description. Start with things that grow well; then it’s time to experiment. Seek out less familiar plants where possible; diversity in urban landscapes is a good thing.

Take Successes with You

If you had favorite plants in your old garden, see if they might do well in your new one. If the particular variety you liked isn’t suitable, there may be something comparable that will do better. Again, ask or find a book about gardening in your new locale. In just a short time you should feel comfortable with your new gardening skills and no doubt your garden will reflect it.