“Not only are the summers hotter, the winters are more mild. And because of that, we are seeing more Zone 5 and 6 plants being utilized, and Zone 5 plants are surviving very well,” said Tim Ibey, owner of Ibey Nursery & Garden Center, referring to plants that grow in warmer climates.
“Missoula has long been a 3-4 Zone, and what sets us in that zone is that we used to have three weeks of subzero weather in the winter and we don't have that anymore,” Ibey said. “Not to say that kind of weather won't come back, but since 1995 or so it seems we haven't gotten much of that and we are becoming more like a 4-5 Zone.”
While there are now more plants than ever to choose from, there is also a growing demand for native plants and ornamentals that are drought-hardy, said Beverly Gutman, owner of Marchie's Nursery.
Because of the warming trend, gardeners have become more savvy about water-wise plants and techniques, she said. While it makes sense to grow such plants, Gutman cautions that even drought-hardy native plants need tender loving care - and watering - while they take root.
Plants become hardy after they've become established, and that takes a full growing season, she said.
To be more water-thrifty, Gutman said she's made a few changes to her gardening, which she recommends to customers, such as adding more compost to gardening beds. At Marchie's, she's added a soil moisture polymer to her compost so it retains moisture and releases it slowly.
A beautiful garden and elaborate landscaping can thrive without a lot of water or a lot of gardening time. But to do so, watering must be done smartly, said Bill Caras, owner of Caras Nursery.
Some of the best new gizmos that have come along in the gardening world in recent years include a variety of inexpensive hose attachments called emitters, drippers or micro-sprinklers.
“These things are so simple it's like putting Tinkertoys together,” Caras said.
Many of the items sell for less than a dollar and most sell for less than $5.
Old-fashioned water sprinklers are on their way out as a gardener's go-to tool, Caras said. While they are useful for broad watering of lawns, they are not efficient for gardens.
“Lawn sprinklers use 2 to 4 gallons of water a minute compared to emitters, which use 1 gallon of water per hour,” Caras said.
The beauty of the emitters, or dripper system, is that they allow for constant, equalized water pressure and provide excellent water control, which is particularly important for helping to start new plants.
“I really like this equipment,” Caras said. “Not only is it inexpensive, but people can create beautiful gardens that use a lot less water.
“That's pretty exciting.”
Although snow clouds still threaten and ski hills are still open, now is the time to get gardening, Caras said.
“It's the time for bed cleanup, to throw organic fertilizer on beds and lawns, and to do some pruning,” he said. “Planting is good anytime, now through summer.”
Playing in the dirt
'Tis the season to be gardening, and if you are looking to grow your own food but need some advice, the Montana Food Bank Network is sponsoring a Start to Finish Garden Workshop at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Missoula Urban Demonstration Project, 629 Phillips Ave.
Learn what grows best in Missoula, learn how to plan your garden, and pick out free organic seeds. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 721-3825.
Reporter Betsy Cohen can be reached at 523-5253 or at bcohen@missoulian.com.
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