Hi all! It is March and we are getting closer to planting our first trees in April. In the last six months I have been trying to learn as much as I can about growing a Christmas tree. It is a bit overwhelming but fun as well. I realize being a novice, I will get some things wrong as I go through this process. I am a big believer in ‘you learn more by failures than you do by successes.’ It’s kind of my mantra. I am going into this excited by the discoveries I will make through the mistakes that will come.
I have learned lots, though, over the last few months! First, I want to say a shout out to all those in zone 6A! Zone 6A? Yes, zone 6A is where our trees will grow. When growing plants and trees you need to know your zone. This tells you what will grow successfully and what may not. To find the zone you are in you can visit the USDA website and find your location. In zone 6A the temperatures can get down to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. This detail was the reason we selected concolor fir rather than balsam fir. Balsam firs might grow ok in 6A, but concolor is more adapted to this region. This is the same for the white spruce and white pine we chose. Temperature matters.
The other thing we needed to know was the pH level of the soil we were working with on the land. Soil needs to be between 5.5 and 6.5 for the ideal plant growth. We got out there and dug in the ground, tested the soil, and learned we are sitting close to 5.5. That is a relief. We do not need to treat the soil to change the pH level before we plant. I haven’t been so excited about digging in the dirt like that since I was eight years old. I am ready to get out there and plant our seedlings in the ground.
Lastly, of course, we will be watering and watering and watering. Any chance the rain will come? Well, who my age has read the Farmer’s Almanac this year? I have! According to the Farmer’s Almanac, April and May will have normal temperatures and normal precipitation. This is good. Hopefully our little seedlings will get enough water right off the bat. Unfortunately, we don’t have such good forecasts for June and July. It looks like it will be hotter and drier in our region for these months. The water truck will be getting extra use this summer.
Planting zone, soil pH and weather forecast. I have it covered, right? Only time will tell. ☺
Come grow with us,
Susan Whitney
May the raindrops fall
on the ground below
in-between the bright
sunshine’s glow.
With the bees buzzing
and the birds singing,
The little seedlings start to grow.
-swr
Comments