What Plants Do Well In British Columbia?

The geographical positioning of British Columbia has it centered on the West Coast where the climate is completely diverse and plants thrive in specific areas with given soil types.

British Columbia’s mild climate provides some of the most suitable places to grow vegetables. Before making any attempt to start farming, you should understand the kind of climate in the zone you are in. 

For someone who resides in coastal British Columbia, they are categorized under zone 8 or 9 whereas a person in central British Columbia is in zone 5 or 6. 

A fundamental note to make is that when it comes to gardening in such a climate, timing is everything. Any day might be a good day to plant but the start of spring usually marks the beginning of the growing season.

The growing periods are in four major phases:

• Cool season: April to May
• Warm season: June to August 
• Cool season: September to October 
• Cold season: November to March

Depending on the type of plants you want to grow, it is important to time yourself so that you plant during a favourable season.

Best plants to grow:

Kale

Unlike most vegetables, kale can be grown throughout the year. They are the hardiest vegetable during the cold season and are also the only plant considered ornamental.

Tomatoes 

The tomato is a low-maintenance vegetable. It does best in mid-summer. The warmer it gets, the bigger and more abundant the tomatoes get. The beauty of this vegetable is that it can be grown on a small scale by cultivating them to grow vertically.

Cucumbers 

This is yet another hardy vegetable plant. Depending on the variety, you can either grow them in cold or warm weather.

Cucumbers are astounding cross pollinators and can be planted next to squash or carrots just to mention but a few.

Peas

Peas are known for their speedy growth. The moment the soil becomes workable, you can safely plant them during the chilly season.

Radishes 

These plants are wildly productive during summer. However, radishes are among the very few vegetables that can endure temperatures moderately below frost. What this implies is that whether it is late fall, early spring or during winter, the radishes can be harvested.

Asparagus 

This plant does not require too much water to grow. The best thing about them is that they can be harvested throughout summer. 

If you are in search of a plant that requires little maintenance for your perennial garden, asparagus would be a perfect choice.

Lettuce 

Flourishes in the cold spring and cooler days of fall. Lettuce can also thrive when it is snowing. It is one of the easiest vegetables to grow. It doesn’t need fertilizer, watering can be done once a week, and it can grow in any type of soil.

Conclusion 

To be completely sure about which plants to grow in your region, the hardiness zone maps come in very handy. A proper study of the maps is by far the safest way to determine what grows best in your region since with different zones, microclimates differ, some can be warmer and others cooler. Don't hesitate to contact our professional team at Landscaping Surrey.