Narcissus poeticus ©Cadence PurdyTrillium grandiflorum ©Rundy PurdyGaywings (Polygala paucifolia) ©Cadence PurdyNarcissus 'Vernal Prince' ©Kathy PurdyPink Lady's Slippers (Cypripridium acaule) ©Kathy PurdyDandelion (Taraxacum officinale) ©Justin PurdySpring view at the old house. ©Cadence PurdyA bouquet of gaywings (Polygala paucifolia) ©Cadence PurdyVirginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) ©Kathy PurdyBlue flax (Linum perenne) ©Cadence PurdyApple blossoms at the old house. ©Rundy Purdy

Welcome to Cold Climate Gardening

I’m so glad to have you visit! If you are looking for help gardening in a challenging cold or short-season climate, you’ve come to the right place! Gardening in a cold climate isn’t more difficult than growing in other climates, as long as you grow plants suited to the climate and the soil. We’ve got pages of information–check out the menus above, browse the archives, or take advantage of the search box in the sidebar to the right. I’m Kathy Purdy, and I do most of the writing here, and we also have some excellent guest authors. We’d love to hear from you in the comments or the contact page.

The Great Garden Rescue

diagram of planned construction

A year ago last March, I learned that renovations were planned for our home. The kitchen was going to be bumped out onto the deck, so that it was even with the screened porch. The screened porch was going to be upgraded to a three-season room. And the deck surrounding it all was going to [...]