Region Description: Pacific Northwest
USDA Hardiness
Zones: 7 to 9
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AHS Heat Zones: 2 to 5
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Sunset Zones: 1,3,4,5,6,7,15,17
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Major Cities: Eureka CA, Medford OR, Olympia WA, Portland OR, Salem
OR, Seattle WA, Tacoma WA, Ukiah CA, Vancouver BC, Victoria BC
The Region.
The Pacific Northwest region begins in the north in Vancouver and Victoria
B.C., and traveling south through western Washington and Oregon with the
Pacific Ocean as the western most boundary and the Cascade Mountain Range as
the eastern most boundary. The area stretches into northern California,
following the coast range south to Ukiah.
The Climate.
The two major influences of the climate in the Pacific Northwest are the
Pacific Ocean and the Cascade Mountains. Moist air flow off the Pacific and
drops on this region as it contacts the mountains creating an area that
receives on average 40 to 90 inches of rainfall a year. The most rain occurs
along the coast. The coastal areas rarely receive snowfall, while the closer to
the mountains you are, the more likely snow will accumulate. High wind storms
can occur, but are generally more of a bother to the gardener than to the
garden. Usually the winds are moist and don't desicate plants. If snow falls,
it will usually insulate plants from a hard freeze.
The Growing Season.
It isn't necessary to have webbed feet to garden successfully in the Pacific
Northwest, but it does help to be a weather watcher. We deal with a cool
growing season, moss grows everywhere, and slugs are the number one enemy in
the garden. The first frost of the growing season arrives about mid-November;
the last about mid-April, giving us at least 200 days of gardening weather.
Coastal areas of Oregon and California may escape a frost some winters. Because
of the cool, humid weather trees and shrubs thrive, most notably rhododendrons
and redwoods. Likewise any cool season annual flowers and vegetables grow well
in this climate. Warm season crops, depending on the summer weather and your
location in the region, may need season extending techniques such as growing
them in black plastic to get a sizable harvest.
View this week's Regional Report for Pacific Northwest
Published by the National Gardening Association
www.garden.org,
www.kidsgardening.com
