Every aspiring Idaho farmer who knows what planting zone is Idaho will be able to distinguish their location among zones 3 to 7. In general, Idaho is a short-season high-altitude zone, which means the state has three climate categories. Knowing this range of climatic conditions alongside what grows well in Idaho will guarantee a successful harvest.
The relevance of the planting zone or hardiness zone for farmers is that it lets them know the conditions essential for the growth and survival of crops. Therefore, if you know that your product is hardy in zone 7, and your location is rated similarly, you can plant without any problem. But if you need to grow plants that are for a higher zone, you can refer to Krostrade.com and learn about greenhouses for the protection of crops.
What Grow Zone Is Idaho?
Idaho is a short-season, high-altitude zone. Take the time to understand and learn about the state’s grow zone since some areas will be difficult for gardening. While many factors also play a role in any plant’s survival, the USDA zone system should be what every farmer checks before choosing a crop.
Idaho does require some unique approaches when it comes to planting. One can expect challenges from the lack of warmth in summer, spring and fall frost, extreme cold in winter, and frequent winds that can cause desiccation. However, Idaho is a state that has abundant crops that ranks it nationally in yields.
What planting zone is Idaho?
Idaho is in the USDA planting zones 3 to 7, which means the state has short warm summers and rough winters. Because it’s a land of valleys, basins, and mountains, one can expect that the elevation is a significant factor in the area’s temperature. Therefore, the locations in the south’s lower elevations will have a milder climate.
When reading zones, remember that the larger the number, the milder the climate is. At the same time, if you compare A and B, the former will be harsher and colder. In Idaho, locations rated USDA hardiness zone 3 or more freezing experience the most challenging climates for gardening.
Traditional gardening will be challenging in the two cities in Idaho, Stanley and Island Park. On the other hand, Preston and Bonners Ferry are in the warm extreme. All in all, learning short-season production techniques and adaptable plants is vital for a successful garden in Idaho.
You can also group Idaho into three climate categories. The hot summer, spring and fall, and cold winter in the high desert, the moist and cool summer in the northern panhandle, and the cool summer, frequent frosts, and bitter winter cold in the central and eastern mountains. The high desert is the most populous, while the east and central mountains will experience the worst climates for farming.
What Crops Grow In Idaho?
According to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, barley, beans, fruits, hay, mint, oilseeds, onions, peas and lentils, potatoes, sugarbeets, and wheat are grown. The state provides the ideal conditions for these plants that Idaho even leads the production in some of them. With the knowledge in planting zones and cultivation techniques, it’s possible to be successful in growing these crops yourself.
Barley
Idaho grows malting and feed barley varieties, with the former acquiring 75% of the total production. The state is among the top barley producers, and various companies like Great Western Malting are located in Idaho.
Beans
Idaho’s climate, irrigation, and control measures produce both high-quality edible and garden beans. The state takes pride in being consistently disease-free, making their beans in high demand in the market.
Fruits
The state produces different fruits ranging from apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, peaches, plums, and even strawberries. With the latter, make sure to know when to plant strawberries in Idaho.
Hay
Idaho ranks first in the national production of certified organic hay and second in alfalfa hay. The latter makes up 80% of the state’s total hay production as the high elevations and climate creates the ideal condition for alfalfa.
Mint
Nationally, Idaho is ranked third in producing mint. The majority of the plants are peppermint, but spearmint also grows well in the state’s fertile soil.
Oilseeds
Canola, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, and sunflower are the fastest growing crops in Idaho. Idaho is fourth in canola production.
Onions
Both Malheur County in Oregon and Treasure Valley in Idaho produce 25% of the country’s yellow onions. Idaho grows the Spanish Sweet variety, and the Federal Inspection Service certifies the onions to ensure the highest quality.
Peas and lentils
Other crops that Idaho produces are dry pea and lentils. They are in demand overseas for canning and packing as well.
Potatoes
When one thinks of Idaho, a crop that immediately comes to mind is the potato. The state is the top producer, and if you know when to plant potatoes in Idaho, you’ll be aware of the many contributing factors why Idaho is on top.
Sugarbeets
While potatoes rank Idaho first, the state comes second in the production of beets. The largest sugar beet factory in the country is even located in Idaho.
Wheat
Wheat is Idaho’s second-largest crop after potatoes. It is also one of the state’s top export products, and Idaho can produce all five classes of wheat.
How Good Is Idaho Soil To Grow?
An area’s soil plays a significant factor in the growth of the plants. And the reason why Idaho soil is suitable for gardening and planting is because of the volcanic material that covered the state and eroded over the years. As a result, Idaho’s land is dark, fertile, and well-drained.
Besides, the different landscapes in Idaho have created different soils that each crop can benefit from. The state has aridisols, andisols, vertisols, mollisols, alfisols, inceptisols, and entisols. These soils vary from being acidic, moisture-holding, and rich in organic materials.
However, note that not all of these soils are suitable for gardening and that adding fertilizer and preparing it is always necessary. Every crop has different nutrient and feeding requirements that every gardener should know. At the same time, plants will vary in the soil moisture content they need for optimum growth.
Growing Hydrangeas In Idaho
Hydrangeas are beautiful flowering plants, and you might be curious if it is possible to grow them in Idaho. Hydrangeas are hardy shrubs and can tolerate zone 6, and since this fits the state’s planting zone, yes, you can grow them in Idaho. However, the main concern worth noting is that you must be able to provide overwintering protection.
Idaho can get prematurely warm in early spring but reaches freezing temperatures once the cold nights start. When this happens, more plants get damaged than the ones that are growing. You can address this issue by preventing the plants from “waking up” too early using protection in November or December.
Using a greenhouse will keep the temperature from fluctuating and prevents the hydrangeas from growing early. The structure will also protect against frost and even keep the plants from getting full shade. Remember that full shade can affect the blooms of the plants and lessen them.
Conclusion
The dark, fertile, and well-drained soils in Idaho makes it an excellent state for growing different crops. But before you start, you must know what planting zone is Idaho. Idaho is a short-season, high-altitude location with zones rated 3 to 7.
Therefore, you can expect to experience hot summers, spring and fall, cold winters, cool summers, frosts, and bitter winter cold, depending on your region. In general, the central and eastern mountains endure frequent frosts and bitter winter cold, so it’s not the most comfortable location for gardening. On the contrary, the high desert areas would be more manageable.
Idaho produces barley, beans, fruits, hay, mint, oilseeds, onions, peas and lentils, potatoes, and sugarbeets. If you’re interested in flowering shrubs, hydrangeas are hardy plants that can tolerate Idaho’s conditions. Regardless, be prepared against any extreme climate by practicing greenhouse farming.