Snow, Rain, Wind and all the Jazz

You have to be tough to be a perennial in Thunder Bay. Especially this spring. Yet, in spite of freezing nights and icy winds, slowly they grow. Even some of the annuals manage. I planted a flat of cosmos yesterday and it braved the snow this morning without a qualm. I've planted the sweet pea seeds and all the bulbs, but hope for warmth. Please, weather gods, give us gardeners a break!

There is a moral here for us Northerners. Never plant anything unless it is hardy for our climatic zone which is 3 (or lower). If you take a chance on a zone 4 plant, put it in your warmest, most sheltered spot. My Daphne is a zone 4 -er and it is struggling. A few years ago I was heart broken to see my neighbours come home from a local plant-selling place with three trees labelled for zone 6. Of course the poor things died and I blame the seller, a chain store, for bringing in unsuitable plants. Our local nurseries are, for the most part, very responsible and sell only what will grow here. So read that label or ask a clerk. If the clerk does not know, ask the owner of the business. Or buy from Manitoba mail order houses like Boughen, Morden etc. where they grow their own stock.