[pookahjade]

So...I am officially lost.

I am new to gardening and from what i can gather online my hardiness zone will dictate which plants are going to do good in my area. My problem is that depending on which website i'm looking at I'm either in zone 7, 8a, 8b, or 9. i am mostly looking to grow veggies and herbs, so if anyone is in the Kirkland WA area and can tell me which zone this is I would be forever grateful.
Oh and 2nd question: does the fact that I will be container gardening on a 2nd story north facing deck make a difference?
Thanks for any help
-Jade

 

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

I'm not from the area so I can't clarify what zone you are in. For the most part, zones apply most to perennials. Things you want to keep alive over the winter. For annuals, things that you grow for a season, you want to find out when your last expected frost date in the spring and first expected frost in the fall are. Then compare that to the days to maturity on the seed pack or seedling tag.

The north facing balcony will make a difference. Most veggies and herbs need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day to do well. North facing areas often don't get that. The wind and exposure on a balcony can also effect how well things do. In the summer because they dry out quickly and over wintering where it will get colder up there than at ground level. The general rule of thumb is that you drop a hardiness zone for every story up a building. The plus is that you might actually be safer from frost up there. Frost tends to settle in low areas and if there is an overhang above you that will provide some protection too.

That said, there will still be things you can grow for sure. It just might take a little more work.

 

[pookahjade]

Thanks for the info.
as far as the sunlight issue, would it do me any good to put a grow lamp bulb in my deck light?