hardening off new plants from the PNW

9 years ago

do we.. in the cold north.. just slap them in the ground.. and hope they are ready for whatever that witch will throw at us ... in cold z5 or lower ????

we presume..and hope.. they are sent fully dormant ... and that is why we order them for early planting ...

but it was 16 this morning ... that F ... i wonder if the PNW even saw 16 all winter ...

while discussing presume they are supposed to be fully zone appropriate ... no zone pushing issues...

gotta run .. no time to reread nor edit right now

ken

Comments (5)

treebarb Z5 Denver
9 years ago
Mark this day.

Absolutely harden them off. Silverton OR, where my shipment is coming from is at 57 today, 47 for overnight temps, 200 - 250 feet above sea level, 55% humidity. Here, near Denver it's 60 degrees with 50 mile an hour gusts coming and we'll see 27 degrees tomorrow night. My elevation is 4900 feet, 18% humidity.

I'm thinking PNW stock is coming out of of dormancy with that weather. Put them in your pole barn near a window till it warms up.

I'll be hardening them off for weeks before planting, but to acclimate them to our ample sunshine and dry air, not the cold you're seeing. When I see a stretch of nice days and above freezing night temps I'll go for it. Mid April I'm thinking, and I'll probably have to shade them all this year.

What'd ya get?

Barb
davidrt28 (zone 7)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I feel like most of my conifer collecting is past me - I mainly want them for overstory protection and let's be honest, and I better hurry up and get planting if I plan to see them at 30-40 feet in my lifetime - but just out of curiosity: how are you kind people getting what sounds like several pallets of plants from the PNW? Ordering from one of the big 3 wholesalers via a local nursery?
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treebarb Z5 Denver
9 years ago
David,

Just 6 trees for me in this shipment, band pots and one gallons. $22 for shipping. I ordered online from Conifer Kingdom. There's also Western Evergreen. I order local native conifers from CSU through their extension service and pick them up myself. I also treat myself to a shopping trip every year at LaPorte Ave. Nursery in Fort Collins.

I only wish I could order a pallet of anything! I use part of my tax refund check to bankroll my addiction.
davidrt28 (zone 7)
9 years ago
I see. I've heard good things about Conifer Kingdom, at least. Enjoy your plants.
ladylotus
9 years ago
Ken,
I always error on the side of caution and harden off any plant I purchase. The only way I would not harden them off would be if I purchased a plant here in ND. For me, I am fortunate that I have a greenhouse so I tuck my stuff in there until the ground is no longer frozen and we are getting consistently warmer weather.

Are you getting some interesting plants? How are your gardens coming along. The last I heard was that you were creating some awesome new beds.

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hardening off new plants from the PNW

Comments (5)

treebarb Z5 Denver

davidrt28 (zone 7)

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treebarb Z5 Denver

davidrt28 (zone 7)

ladylotus

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