more regional forums

[lcosden]

I'll mull it over Bernard.. No promise.. Especially since I'm pregnant right now.. Some of my thoughts might be a bit illogical too..

[PlantSwap]

It's time to revisit this thread. I'd like to expand the regional forum selections to cover the USA. Please post suggestions for regional groupings (or individual states) as you would like to see them. Suggestions so far include:

... Like Northeast, would have NY, CT, MA, PA, NJ.

~~~

... It seems that the plants I get from Texas seem to grow pretty good. What is the soil like there?

Depends upon where you are in the state. Down here on the coast, we have "gumbo" - a black clay.

I'll mull it over Bernard.. No promise.. Especially since I'm pregnant right now.. Some of my thoughts might be a bit illogical too..

I'm sorry I never responded to this earlier! Congrats!

[PlantSwap]

Gardenweb uses the following regional categories:

Northern
Great Lakes
Ohio River Valley
Northeast
Northeast Coastal
Mid Atlantic
Southeast Coastal
Southern
Gulf Coast
Southwest
Midwest
Rocky Mountain
Ozarks
Northwest

I'd probably add Pacific Coast to that. Thoughts?

[trumpetvine]

OK Nurse, I'm not too far from you, in North Central TX & we have about the same type of soil. I live out in the country & started a compost bin in the far corner of my back yard several years ago & I have found that adding a good mixture of compost to the soil when I'm planting really helps a lot. Trumpetvine

[ok_nurse]

I think anything is better than "states". I'd sure like to hear from Lindy again-I'm sure she's just enjoying her lil girl.
The idea of the zones might actually work better though because, like lcosden was saying-if you are looking for a plant for that big hole under your shady oak, you may be in a zone seven, but a zone six plant might do better there. And those sunny scorching areas could take a zone eight plant-even though you'd know to ask about their ability to be a perennial when your winters dip down. Depending on the area you want to fill, you may visit a few different zones than you live in. Also, you wouldn't need to describe the zones other than to post a map. Everyone could find their own zone easily. It coordinates with the seed packets at the hardware store. If you break it down the way you suggested, you need to post a map so people can find themselves for the most part. Alot of newbies have a hard time finding their zones and I've often thought we should post it somewhere (maybe you already have and I just haven't found it yet!). I'll be happy to get into any "area" forum.
Thanks for working on it!
-Donna

OK Nurse, I'm not too far from you, in North Central TX & we have about the same type of soil. I live out in the country & started a compost bin in the far corner of my back yard several years ago & I have found that adding a good mixture of compost to the soil when I'm planting really helps a lot. Trumpetvine

I don't have any room for a compost pile-too many plants!! I have a medium size city lot but we are on a corner so I have very litle back yard and lots of flowerbeds. Mulch, as I'm sure you know, composts in a matter of minutes in the heat so its just a constant battle.

[PlantSwap]

The idea of the zones might actually work better though ...

OK. 2 votes for using USDA zones

... Alot of newbies have a hard time finding their zones and I've often thought we should post it somewhere (maybe you already have and I just haven't found it yet!).

There's a sticky thread at the top of this forum: How to find your USDA zone

[jdkline]

Yea thats true Garden Web does use that. But I dont know if I am supposed to be in the Great Lakes area there or the Midwest area. Because both of them could possibly be in my zone. And that just causes confusion for me. LOL I like the idea of zones. That way I can look and see for sure if the plants will grow in my zone or not. The Great Lakes region would contain more than one zone I think. And so would the midwest region. Whatever is decided will be fine but I would prefer zones. Just my 2 cents.
Deb

[PlantSwap]

OK. We'll give zones a shot then.

[PlantSwap]

I've created regional forums by zone, but I'm not sure that it is very intuitive. Let me know what you think.

[ok_nurse]

I bet new people will have a tendency to post there because it isn't as intimidating as all the action on the main threads. Very easy to understand and the map link is great. Anyone can visit from any walk of life and learn more about their own garden right there. I know I'll just have to make a conscious effort to visit frequently so people aren't saying hi in oblivion. I think as we get more people posting and watching their own zones, and those around them, it will be less of a conscious thing. You did a great admin job building it!
-D

[zuzu's petals]

Looks great!

Now I just have to figure out where I belong ....
do I belong in zone 7 where the map says I belong
or
do I belong in zone 8 where my experience of gardening here tells me?

Maybe I'll just try to visit both and consider myself bi-zonal.

[trumpetvine]

Hey Zuzu, I'm with you. I think I am in a bi-zonal area too. I'm pretty close to 7 & 8. Plus with the unpredictiblity of weather........every now & then we get a real loo-loo of a winter & are way below the average lows for our area, but that is rare. Seems like most winters are a little above what is "supposed" to be our average winter. I know I have had things growing on the south side of my house that is not supposed to make it through the winter & have been really pleasantly suprised to see them poking their little heads up come spring. Trumpetvine http://www.plantswap.net/forum/image...nanadance2.gif