Riverbank Grape, Vitis Riparia

Riverbank Grape, Vitis Riparia

Though not everyone’s first choice for a fresh-picked grape, this wild (and ridiculously hardy) grape has several tasty uses beyond its tasty grape jelly. AKA Fox grape, northern fox grape, plum grape, northern muscadine, swamp grape, frost grape, and wild vine. VINE LAYER Cold hardiness zones: Cold hardiness zone 3-9 (can withstand cold to -40° F, or -40° C) Soil […]

Garlic, Allium Sativum

Garlic, Allium Sativum

It likes sun, it’s perennial, and it looks like grass. We should just rip out our lawns and grow garlic instead. The neighbors might not even notice! But hold your breath—unless of course you’ve got garlic breath… ROOT LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 4 – 9 (can withstand temperatures to -30° F, or -34° C)i Soil PH: 4.5 to 8.3 Watering […]

Spanish Sage, Salvia Lavandulifolia

Spanish Sage, Salvia Lavandulifolia

Hardier, lower maintenance, longer lived, and colder tolerant than common garden sage, yet it can be used in the same recipes in the same way. HERB LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 4 – 8 (can withstand cold to -30° F, -37° C) Soil PH: 6.0 to 6.5 preferred,i but will also grow in higher alkaline soils. (≈ 6.0 – 8.5)ii Watering […]

Black Walnut, Juglans Nigra

Black Walnut, Juglans Nigra

You’d be nuts not to get one. This tree walnut disappoint you. CANOPY LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 4 – 9 (can withstand cold to -30° F) Soil PH: 6.8-7.2, but it will survive in a wider range of soils Watering needs: Average, though they prefer more in summer Blooming Season: Mid-spring Harvest season: September-October Fruiting age: As early as 4 […]

Arctic Raspberry, Rubus Arcticus

Arctic Raspberry, Rubus Arcticus

Well, ain’t that just the cutest lil’ raspberry you ever did see? But don’t think this little feller’s feeble or frost tender—these things can grow in places far too cold for most raspberries—and thrive there! GROUNDCOVER LAYER Cold hardiness zones: 2 – 8 (can withstand cold to -50° F, or -45° C) Soil PH: 5.0-7.01 Watering needs: Medium. It prefers […]