| O.K.I would like to grow some fruit and vegetables that are rated zone 4 or higher,however i live in a zone 3 area,would it be a waist of my time to attempt to grow such things like strawberries,or apples or even ,blue berries and rasberries here?i know we have berries and fruits growing up here but the ones i like in your book are all zoned 4 and up,can you help? |
| In most cases it is a real risk to try to grow a plant in just one zone colder than that for which it is rated. If you have a particularly sheltered location with excellent wind breaks, perhaps living in town and with heat reflected from a building or even up against a foundation, and are able to mulch heavily, the plant might survive. Hardiness also seems to increase a little bit once a plant is well established, so in some cases a borderline hardy plant will make it if the first winter is milder than usual. To attempt to cross two zones is usually futile. So, unfortunately, I am not very encouraging although if you are willing to take a risk it is sometimes worth the effort. You might want to talk to your county extension (788-4961) and see which varieties they specifically recommend for your area. |
