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Moving from growing zone 7a to triangle area. Any advice on growing? I'm considering sweet cherries, some hardy citrus, and camellia sinensis (tea) which I haven't grown before. I won't be growing vegetables besides asparagus. Any advice on climate and gardening in general?
Depending on your exact location, challenges can include: red clay soil that will require a lot of amendment, difficulty in locating a spot that gets enough sun, HOA regulations, losses due to deer, rabbits and birds.
You can grow some citrus, but it will take luck and a good bit of work to protect the trees, especially when they are young:
If you are relocating to the southeast of Raleigh, you quickly get into Zone 8a! Even some spots in town in Raleigh are starting to look like 8a, like my backyard... If you have a chance, make it over to the Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. It is pretty amazing, and a great resource, as are the links mentioned above.
Also a gardener who moved here from NY (Long Island).
In my limited experience so far, the main differences are:
1. Soil. Or clay, really. Don't expect to just leisurely dig a hole in your landscape, it may be more difficult until you amend it or just bring in good dirt to raise up beds. The good news is that clay is nutritious for plants.
2. Drainage. Water doesn't absorb as much here, it runs off, which may mean low lying areas capturing rainfall. Pay attention to where gutters drain and natural slopes in your landscape/hardscape.
3. Heat and sun. There's a greater possibility of stressing things that don't necessarily like much sun. Hydrangeas, for instance. I have a pretty crispy one in my backyard because someone thought six hours of full afternoon sun was a good idea. It's not, the leaves burned and it barely blooms. Also, things that love and need the winters in NY like tulips aren't as common here.
4. Overwintering. You have a better chance of things making it through the winter in the ground here. Dahlias, Canna lily, etc.
5. Vigorous growth. Including weeds. Things in my new yard are so happy and healthy, I find myself pruning, thinning and weeding a lot more than I used to.
Check the JC Raulston event schedule from time to time. I attended an afternoon of presentations, one of them catered to people who are new to the area and it was really informative. Great place to browse as well.
There are some citrus at JC Raulston Arboretum, but not sure they have good flavor. From what I have read the timing is funky on citrus here. You can get a tree to live here, but you need to get one that has ripe fruit early because most winters our coldest temps are in Jan and Feb which is right when citrus is ripening in Florida. Anyway, not to discourage you, but it is a bit of a challenge for sure.
I don't know that cherries do well here. I have never known anyone who grew them and I've lived here a long time. Peaches, plum, pears and figs do pretty well. Apples do okay, but better in the mountains. With any fruit tree you will have to fight a lot of pests including furry and feathered ones.
You can definitely grow tea camellias as well as any kind of ornamental camellias. We have a great climate for those and for azaleas. Camellia Forest Nursery just outside Chapel Hill can set you up with tea plants and show you how to make your own tea from them. https://camforest.com/ and https://www.teaflowergardens.com/ .
Of course if you have a greenhouse you can grow anything.
Depending on your exact location, challenges can include: red clay soil that will require a lot of amendment, difficulty in locating a spot that gets enough sun, HOA regulations, losses due to deer, rabbits and birds.
You can grow some citrus, but it will take luck and a good bit of work to protect the trees, especially when they are young:
We are lucky to have wonderful garden sources here. The fabulous Raulston arboretum in Raleigh has been mentioned already and add to that Duke Gardens in Durham and the NC Botanical Gardens in Chapel Hill. I've been to a few programs by the Master Gardeners of Durham and they are also an excellent resource.
The clay soil here is makes it hard to dig holes, so think a lot about plant placement before digging and give a lot of thought to raised beds. Compost is your friend.
The clay soil here is makes it hard to dig holes, so think a lot about plant placement before digging and give a lot of thought to raised beds. Compost is your friend.
I learned many years ago the tool for getting through tough clay is the “garden fork” or “turning fork” I keep the tines sharp with the grinder, so it makes loosening the clay easier so I can remove it with the shovel. I added a longer handle to mine due to my height, and it’s been one of my favorite garden tools
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Thanks everyone
