Gardening in Florence, OR (Yachats: health, move, climate)

[aguamarina4u]

Hi there,

Can anyone tell me about the possiblities of gardening in Florence in the summer? Is it possible?

Also, do people usually stay inside all winter?

Obviously I am not familar with the SW coast but I'm reading as much as possible for the pros and cons of living there.

Thanks so much :-)

[Waterlily]

I live down the road about 45 miles south of Florence. Sure there's lots of gardening going on. I find the climate very good for many plants. It doesn't get real hot or cold so the plants love it! There's plenty of rain and it only requires watering during the summer months. My grass takes the most water during summer. If I don't water the grass it'll start turning brown which I don't like. Personally I have a lot of plants; everything from roses to daylilies.

No we don't all stay inside during winter. Sure a few folks in bad health may spend most of their time indoors. It is cloudy and wet a lot.

[Steve97415]

It depends a bit on what kind of gardening you have in mind. As far as ornamental gardening goes, the Oregon coast can be the ultimate. Fairly tender plants from Chile, South Africa and Australia/New Zealand grow quite well here as well as some of the usual North American suspects. A lot of people turn sommersaults trying to grow tulips, peonies and other plants better adapted to a continental climate...go figure -- they want to move to a mild-winter climate and then they go through all this fuss to grow cold-winter plants when there are so many other exciting things out there that are well-adapted. Jim Gerdemann's famous garden is near Yachats, and it is sometimes possible to tour his acreage.

Vegetable and fruit growing is less promising. Mildews and blights are forever present and there isn't enough summer heat in most areas to put the sugar into tree fruit. Berries grow well along the coast, but are rather insipid compared to those grown in the Willamette Valley. Artichokes, asparagus, peas, lettuce and other green vegetables do very well if protected from mollusks. Slug and snail control is a constant battle.

Obviously I am not familar with the SW coast but I'm reading as much as possible for the pros and cons of living there.

Florence is on the central coast...almost in the middle.