Teton Valley News - Lawn & Garden Guide - April 22, 2010 - Page C1
Teton Valley News
Challenges of high mountain gardening Kate Reynolds Yaskot TVN Contributing Writer
GUIDE
Gardening in Teton Valley, while very challenging, is not impossible. Newcomers will quickly discover that this is not the place where you just plant your favorite flowers or vegetables in the spring (because there really is no spring), give them adequate water and then expect to reap your harvest in the fall. At an elevation of 6,200 feet, it can snow and frost in any month of the year. There is no “growing season” like in other parts of the country. The soil is poor, can have a high clay content, is generally alkaline and in some parts of the valley, is very rocky. While extreme heat and cold would seem to be obvious challenges (they are), it’s actually the wind that can be critical to the survival of flowers and vegetables because it saps moisture from the plants. And probably what’s most critical is understanding your physical location in the Valley, because you will have different growing factors if you live along the river as opposed to being at the mouth of a canyon. While most of the valley is United States Department of Agriculture Zone 3 with respect to plant hardiness, along the river it’s Zone 2 and about 10 degrees colder. While these challenges are formidable, especially for newcomers, they are not impossible. The key to gardening here is to understand the challenges before you plant and then incorporate a variety of techniques in your gardening regime that deal with these factors. Large shrubs make a good wind barrier and can create microclimates to shield plants from wind. Numerous soil amendments can enhance soil quality, certain techniques such as using raised beds with plant covers can help extend your growing season.
Tricks of the trade Johanna Marcell-Miller grew up in a family of passionate gardeners and knows firsthand what gardening at this elevation can mean to a serious See Gardening challenges C4