Bedding Plants in Montana

What makes the Flathead Valley and NW Montana Unique Regarding the Growing of Plants?

• We average approximately 90 growing days (Frost Free Days) here in the Flathead (June 1 - September 1). However, the number of growing days varies greatly depending on your location. Areas on or around Flathead Lake or Kalispell proper will have a longer growing season, while Columbia Falls, Kila/Marion, Olney, West Glacier, and Whitefish will have a shorter growing season. Elevation also needs to be taken into account. If you are located at a higher elevation, this too will create fewer growing days. Being in a mountain valley also creates microclimates that can cause dramatic environmental changes within a relatively short distance between growing locations.

• Nighttime temperatures from June through August average 46.7 degrees. Cool evening temperatures cause a slowing down of plant growth limiting our plants growth potential even further.

• Years ago our valley was sculpted by glaciers creating the landscape we have today. These glaciers left behind deposits of calcium carbonate creating what is known as Calcareous Soil. This Calcareous Soil is highly alkaline creating soil pH’s typically between 7.5 and 8.0. The calcium carbonate also effects our water creating not only a high pH (7.6 - 8.8), but also very high alkalinity levels. This means that every time you water your plants you are accumulating even more calcium carbonate, thereby increasing soil pH levels even more. Alkalinity and pH in this elevated range causes severe nutrient deficiencies resulting in plants with stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, poor flower and fruit production, lowered ability to combat disease and insects, and even death. These alkalinity related deficiencies have a widespread detrimental effect on all types of gardening in our landscapes including annuals (bedding plants), perennials, vegetables, lawns, trees and shrubs, fruit trees, berries and even house plants.
  
  So what does all this information mean to you and the growing of your plants? pH directly effects a plants ability to absorb and utilize both Macro and Micro Nutrients. Most plants prefer/require a pH between 6.0 and 6.5 (slightly acid) to thrive. Consequently, to make our plants reach their growing potential we need to find a way to reduce our pH.

• Fortunately, there is a simple and inexpensive way to remedy this pH problem: Elemental Sulfur. Annual amending of your soil with Sulfur is the key to unlocking your soil and obtaining maximum plant growth potential. By applying Sulfur to the soil either in beds or containers, pH is lowered resulting in optimum nutrient absorption by the plant and maximum plant performance.

Starting Out

• As discussed earlier, the Flathead Valley has a variable amount of growing days dependent on your location. Most experienced gardeners in the Flathead Valley look to Memorial Day or the last week of May to be relatively safe from frost. That being said, remember we live in a mountain valley and can experience frost any month of the year. It is always a good idea to keep a watchful eye on the weather and plan accordingly.
  
  Usually, the 3 P’s (Pansies, Petunias, and Perennials) may be planted the first part of May as these plants will tolerate cooler nights and a light frost. Snapdragons, Dusty Miller, Dianthus, and Alyssum are other plants that are more tolerant of cooler temperatures. Please note that all plants need to be Hardened Off before transplanting outside in colder temperatures. Please refer to our Proper Hardening Off of Plant Material sheet for detailed information. Plants such as Geraniums, Begonias, Impatiens, Fuschia, Marigolds, Dahlias, and Calibrachoa are not frost tolerant. Please refer to our Spring Planting Timing Sheet for more transplanting information. If you are unsure of a plants ability to grow here locally, please ask us first. Many plants grown in the southern half of the United States do not perform well in the Flathead because of cool nights and short growing season.

• No matter how high quality your plants, they will only succeed if the soil is right. Bedding Plant success starts with a well-drained soil mix. Like other plants, Bedding Plants prefer a soil that is not water logged and is friable for easy rooting. Bedding plants are also heavy feeders. This means that during the course of the growing season they absorb/utilize large amounts of nutrients. Consequently, you also need to start with a rich, nutritious soil high in organic matter.
  
  Amending your garden bed soil with compost is the easiest way to re-energize your beds for a new growing season. Hooper’s recommends the locally produced Glacier Gold Compost because it is pH balanced (6.0) and is very high in organic matter. For containers or hanging baskets Hooper’s recommends using Glacier Gold’s Professional Growers Blend potting soil. Growers Blend soil mix is pH balanced (6.0), high in organic matter, and has a higher buffering capacity than other soil mixes. Hooper’s does not advocate using the same soil left over from last year’s planter.
  
  Remember performance and satisfaction of your planting is in direct relationship to the size of the planter. The larger the planter or hanging basket the bigger the show and the easier it is to maintain. Hooper’s does not recommend using planters smaller than 12 inches in diameter.

• Proper watering is essential to the proper growth and potential of your Bedding Plants. The key to effective watering is simple: Less frequent deep and thorough watering instead of frequent shallow watering. Each watering should saturate the soil that your plants are growing in. If you are growing in containers or hanging baskets make sure that the water runs out the bottom regardless the size of the container or basket. For watering Bedding Plants in beds, try to avoid overhead watering. Very few Bedding Plants will thrive under overhead watering. Hooper’s highly recommends Soaker Hoses as an easy and very effective way to water your beds.
  
  How often you need to water has many variables making it impossible to offer a precise answer. Temperature, Wind, Plant Species, and Soil are all variables that influence how often watering is needed. Generally speaking the warmer it becomes the more often you are going to need to water. This is especially true for containers and hanging baskets, which require more watering than Bedding Plants planted in beds. A great way to take the guesswork out of when to water is to invest in a Moisture Meter. Moisture Meters test your soils moisture level and are an easy and inexpensive aid to determining your watering needs.

• Besides the pH adjustments that need to be made, proper fertilization is an absolute necessity for achieving maximum growth and color for your bedding plants. Bedding plants generally prefer a higher nitrogen level than plants such as vegetables, perennials, trees and shrubs. Hooper’s offers a custom blended fertilizer providing an optimal balance of nutrients for tremendous growth and maximum flowering. If you are fertilizing the old fashioned High Dose feeding method Hooper’s recommends starting with an every 7 days feeding schedule. As the summer progresses and you are watering more often we recommend increasing the High Dose feeding to every 3 days to keep up with the increased watering and growth of the plants.
  
  Sulfur should be applied to your beds or planters for its effect on pH per the instructions listed above. Hooper’s also recommends utilizing an ACR acidifier in your planters and hanging baskets; as well as, Osmocote’s Plus Multi-Purpose fertilizer.
  
  For those enthusiasts seeking easier care and maximum performance, you may wish to inquire about our new EZ-FEED Fertilizer Injection System. The EZ-FEED System is a continuous feed watering system that virtually eliminates daily watering and once a week High Dose feeding with a watering can at an affordable price. Maximum plant performance with lower care and maintenance is always a great combination.
  
  Please remember that this is a general guide for growing Bedding Plants in the Flathead Valley. For plant applications specific to your site or location please stop in and speak with our knowledgeable staff. We look forward to helping you.

©2009 - Hooper`s Garden Center