I am moving from Indiana to the Oregon coast and see references to "salty coastal fog." How does that affect gardening practices?

Welcome to ATP and the Pacific Northwet!

ATP has a PNW forum. We'd love to hear about your experiences and perspective on how growing here is different.
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

I hadn't heard of salty fog, but then I live around two miles inland. Will you be RIGHT on the coast?

If you've grown mid-season or late tomatoes in the past, summers here might not be warm enough to ripen the varieties you're used to. Cherry tomatoes are more reliable here. If you want a list of non-cherry varieties said to be cold-tolerant, let me know.

Winter will be unrecognizable to an Indianan! if you're used to using cold frames or hoop tunnels to extend your growing season, you might be able to grow some things year-round here.

Lay in a supply of beer saucers and diatomaceous earth, or slug bait. We have lots of slugs.

If you love roses, you might want to look for varieties that tolerate 8 months of cloudy drizzle.

Hi Phyllis. to ATP and the PNW.
Wow, Astoria. You will be challenged to rethink some of your methods/plants for gardening.
But as you have already seen in the gardens around Astoria, there are many things that grow beautifully. What type of gardening are you used to doing?

Warm welcome from Washington. If you like a temperate climate and can tolerate rain, you will like it here. Our cold season may be really cold for you until you acclimatize because it is a damp cold rather than dry cold. Bundle up with layers, it's easy to get over-heated and/or chilled. Quickly learn the difference between rain-resistant and rain-proof materials.

I think the 'salty fog' you heard about might be salt that is thrown up into the air on high surf days. If you are within a few blocks or so of the beach, and it is really windy with high surf, you will find that your windows (and plants!) may get crusted with fine salt spray carried inland by the wind. You can smell it in the air, too.

Here on the west coast of Florida, (but I am originally from Vancouver, BC) this happens when we get high surf and onshore winds from a passing tropical storm or a winter cold front. Even high rise apartments a half mile or so from the beach can see this salty mist if the wind is right and it isn't raining. (which of course takes most of the salt right back out of the air)

Anyway, as it relates to plants, we have lists of plants that are 'salt tolerant' here. Some plants really do not tolerate salt at all. Others do fine. You can probably look this up on your County Extension's website, but the best, and most fun way to find what to grow is to walk around your neighborhood, and make friends with the neighbor who has the nicest garden!

Also when you visit nurseries in the spring to buy plants, be sure to ask about salt tolerance before you buy.

Crocosmia grow beautifully on the coast.

Hi Phyllis,
I know nothing about salty fog but to the PNW. I've only been to Astoria a few times but, it sure is a cute town.

Elaine, thank you for the notes on salty fog. I'm too far inland to be affected but interesting info.

Another plant I've noticed does quite well on the Oregon coast is agapanthus, they seem to grow like weeds there. I assume they either tolerate or perhaps welcome the salt air. The Agapanthus Database

Rhodies and hydrangea.

I love crosomoia, agapanthus, rhodies and azaleas--all of which I have envied on visits out here. And fuschias! Plus a darling bright blue flower that starts with an E whose latin names escapes me right now.
As for climate difference, Indiana's range where I live goes from -20 in winter to 103 in summer. I can hardly wait to live in a more temperate climate! I think I'll be about a mile up the Columbia river from the actual coast so maybe salt fog is minimal. I'll find out for sure!
Thanks for the suggestions!!!!