BC Living
Spreads – From Scratch
You’ve Gotta Try This In May
How to Support BC Wineries Now
4 Tips on Balancing a Nutritious Diet with a Side of Indulgence
Choosing Connection: A BC Family Day Pledge to Prioritize Presence Over Plans
Embracing Plant-Based Living this Veganuary and Beyond
Inviting the Steller’s Jay to Your Garden
6 Budget-friendly Holiday Decor Pieces
Dream Home: $8 Million for a Modern Surprise
Local Getaway: A Mini Cozy Sanctuary in Nelson
B.C. Adventures: Our picks for May
Spring into Fun in Kamloops: The Best Events in the City
BC Distilled
Melodies and Museums: Solo-Friendly Entertainment for the Independent Traveller
Arts Club Theatre Company Celebrates 60 Years
Pyrrha Connects People With Pieces That Speak To Them
BC-Based Gifts Perfect for Mom
SOLO CHIC: 5 Essential Pieces for the Stylish Solo Traveller
Just how warm does it need to be to plant in B.C.?
That depends on the annuals. So-called half-hardy annuals, like snapdragons and sweet peas, can take cool temperatures. Others, like marigolds, petunias, begonias and impatiens, like more warmth. The general rule of thumb, to be safe for most annuals, is Victoria Day weekend, at the end of May.
The problem with planting sooner is not only the air temperatures at night, but the temperature of the soil. If annuals are planted in the open ground and it gets cold and rainy, they have to “sit” in cold, sodden soil. This can cause their growth to halt or worse—their roots can get fungal diseases and rot.
I cheat by keeping a few annuals in containers under an overhang that gets afternoon sun. My geranium has been outside for a month now, but it doesn’t get inundated with cold rain due to the balcony above it. In addition, if the night is clear and cold, I throw a layer of floating row cover over it. (Well, to be honest, I throw a gauzy lace curtain over it, ’cause that’s what I have on hand!). It looks very healthy.