Hooper`s Garden Center
What Makes the Flathead Unique
First - Short Growing Season
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.
Second - Cool Evening Temperatures
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.
Third - Elevated pH in our Soils and Water
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.
Last - The Remedy
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.
Courtesy of Hooper`s Garden Center
2205 Mt Highway 35 East
Kalispell, Mt 59901
(406) 752-2770
www.hoopersgardencenter.com