Cold Climate Gardening

A reader asks:

I am considering relocating to a colder clime (UP of Michigan) and I have never gardened further north than Wichita, KS so am wondering if I can have a koi pond if I run the heater (I do this now to keep a spot open in in the ice) and what plants do well.. I love iris, daylilies, peonies, shrub roses, daffodils, japanese maple, bee balm, phlox, clematis, hosta, etc. all of which I have now. not finding much information with my first quick search. Anyone have any comments or help for me with a web site reference? Thanks in advance for your time.

I know there are gardeners from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula reading this …

Popularity: 17% [?]

Readers, I’d like your help in answering this email:

I live at 8800 ft. in the Rocky Mountains ( yes, we have had snow recently also) and want to garden. I did not get 1 tomato last summer because nights are cold.–although my flowers and herb pots did well. This year I have cut out 2 areas to do about a 300sqr.ft. garden.

Where can I get a comprehensive list of vegetables that thrive in the colder climate? At least then all I’d have to worry about is beating off the elk!

I certainly have not gardened at such a high altitude and I wonder if tomatoes and other hot weather crops are even possible at …

Popularity: 14% [?]