Growing Seasons

Other Critical Soil Factors

Other critical soil factors are:
· Iron
· Soil Acidity
· Magnesium
· Soil Temperature and Moisture
· Manganese
· Zinc
· Sulfur
· Soil Texture
· Boron
· Ammonium
· Sodium
· Aluminum
· Copper
· Chloride
· Nitrate, and
· Bicarbonate

Many of these nutrients are micronutrients. Boron is relatively new as a plant nutrient. Many of these nutrients are utilized as they become available for consumption. Soil acidity, temperature, water availability, carbon dioxide and other conditions limit a plant's ability to utilize these elements.

From these conditions, and other factors, you already know that certain crops are associated with certain parts of the country. For instance, wines are associated with California in the United States. The soil acidity and temperature are often driving factors for this particular plant. In the plants that you sow, it will serve you well to know your soil and its nutrients, and weaknesses. You can test your soil for PH, or acidity levels and find your region's average temperature and sunlight by looking it up. Many annual plants now have suggestions based on your latitude and longitude. Some plants thrive in regions where shorter growing seasons are fine. It is in your best interest to match your plant to the growing season, sunlight and precipitation in your region.

Let's take Canada for example. Canada at its extreme has a very long growing season of more than 280 days. In Upper Canada, the growing season is as short as 40 days. A plant would need to complete its entire life cycle from germination to reproduction and death in 40 days. Sounds quite amazing - right? For every latitude, there is an ideal plant for that environment. It just takes a grower who can research, and find an ideal plant for your conditions.

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