Digging into Northeast Ohio soil for the first time this spring? Or maybe you just need to know if your green thumb will thrive in our region. Here are some helpful facts and useful resources that will answer your gardening questions.
Climate
Greater Cleveland/Akron lies in the humid continental zone and has four distinct comfortable seasons. We have a handful of microclimates. There are microclimates near a large body of water or river which is why we have amazing wine growers and wineries in the Grand River Valley (several are dog friendly!) and in higher elevations where frost often delays spring and quickens fall's arrival.
If you live close to Lake Erie, spring will start a little later as the lake water temperature is still cold, while inland areas will begin blooming with daffodils, crocuses, and forsythia a little earlier. However, the opposite happens in fall when the lake temperature is warmer. If your neighborhood is closer to the shoreline, you will benefit from warmer days and leaves in their canopy and mums blooming longer.
On average, the last spring frost is around April 14th and fall's first frost is around November 7th. Beware, there are no absolutes on the last frost...it is Cleveland! Clevelanders know, "if you do not like the weather, wait five minutes!" The safest rule of thumb is to start planting annuals and tender perennials Memorial Day weekend.
Hardiness Zones
The plant hardiness zones in our region are 5b, 6a, and 6b. When purchasing perennials, check the tag for the numbered zone to ensure that it is able to last through winter. A top resource for hardiness zones is the Arbor Day Foundation which stays on top of our changing climate and provides a hardiness zone by zip code search tool.
Northeast Ohio Butterfly Garden, Holden Arboretum.
Helpful Tips
Deer
Watch out for the deer! They love most plants and shrubs from spring tulips to arborvitae. Stock up on spray and apply every week or two throughout the growing season, especially in the spring when fresh new leaves, especially hostas, are irresistible to them. Locals rave about Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent and En Garde Deer Defense, a monthly service that sprays yards using all natural materials.
Soil
To understand your garden's soil nutrients and acidity levels, we suggest testing so you know if you need to make amendments. The Ohio State University's Agricultural Extension recommends UMass Soil and Plant Nutrient Testing Lab. Mail a sample of your soil and receive a detailed report for how to create premium growing soil.
Must Read Books
Here are two books that are helpful in identifying perennials that do well in our climate. Growing Perennials in Northern Ohio.
Available for purchase through the Northern Ohio Perennials Society.
Available for purchase through local book retailers, Amazon, and more.
What Grows in Greater Cleveland/Akron
There's nothing quite like the excitement of seeing your perennials awaken from the garden bed or the season's first visit to a garden center to purchase seeds, annuals, vegetables, and herbs. Plenty of annuals, perennials, succulents, water plants, vegetables, herbs, and more grow beautifully in our region.
Perennials
There are several hardy perennials which any level of gardener can successfully grow in our region:
Blue False Indigo
Ferns (many varieties do well, especially Maidenhair Fern and Ghost Fern)
Hosta (adds color and texture to shady spots)
Irises
Lady's Mantle
Lily of the Valley
Peonies (great for cutting)
Sea Holly
Solomon's Seal
As perennials mature, they need to be split in the fall. A great way to meet fellow gardeners! And a thrifty way to populate your gardens.
Vegetables and Herbs
In spring and summer months, vegetables and herbs flourish. There are also several local cool weather crops that do well when placed directly in outdoor soil, including:
Beets
Celery
Garlic
Kale
Lettuce
Onions
Peas
Potatoes
Spinach
Cilantro
Chives
Mint
Local Garden Walks and Inspiration
The gardens host One World Day every year, typically in late August. MLK, Jr. Drive is closed to traffic for you to leisurely stroll around 35 gardens sponsored by some of the nationalities represented in Cleveland. If you do not see your own heritage garden, you can get a plan together, bring some friends, and present your proposal. The Cultural Gardens are beautiful in every season but most are in full bloom by mid-summer.
A self-guided tour of dozens of gardens in 11 urban neighborhoods to give you inspiration. This event typically takes place in early July. Grab your bike or walking shoes and explore these beautiful neighborhoods. You might just make a new friend with a shared interest.
One hour south of Cleveland, Kingwood Center Gardens is 47 acres of beautiful gardens in Mansfield, OH. Kingswood was the former home of the President of Ohio Brass and transitioned to public gardens in the 1950s.
This Tudor home and gardens are stunning and a great place to host special events. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens is the former home of the CEO of Goodyear Tire.
Seeds, Plants, and Supplies
Part of the Hummingbird Project, the Cleveland Seed Bank is an independent and accessible source of open-pollinated, non-GMO seeds. The Cleveland Seed Bank holds an annual seed swap in early spring. You can also join the Cleveland Seed Bank to help the worldwide movement to protect local seed supplies and promote shared seed heritage. From their website, you can browse current offerings or post seeds you would like to exchange.
In collaboration with the Cleveland Seed Bank, the Seed Library at Cleveland Public Library strives to preserve biodiversity and to promote local, heirloom varieties of plants. The Seed Library allows you to "check out" a packet of heirloom seeds, grow your own heritage vegetables or flowers, save seeds from the best plants, and then lend them to a friend or neighbor, participate in a "seed swap," or use them yourself next year.
Annual Plant Sales
You can be a steward for wildlife by adding native plants to your landscape. The Native Plant Sales features beautiful, hardy, low maintenance plants that will make your garden an oasis for important native pollinators while creating attractive garden spaces around your home. Sales are available at a variety of locations.
Typically in mid-May, this plant sale takes place each spring at a greenhouse owned by the City of Cleveland, and you must check it out. It is open year-round and a perfect way to experience 75-degree humid air in February, the beauty of plants, and a whiff of fresh soil.
Tomato Monster is a great place to start if you are interested in growing a wide variety of heirloom tomatoes and some peppers. Pre-sells tend to sell out pretty quickly.
Locally Owned Greenhouses and Garden Centers
A seed to flower farm/florist, specializing in native species. They even recycle your old plastic nursery plant containers.
Like the name indicates, they only sell perennials and while it is a 30+ minute drive out to their facility in Madison, OH (Lake County), it is worth it as you drive home smiling with your car packed with plants that did not break the bank!
They have beautiful trees, fountains, large decorative rocks, and pond décor.
A chemical-free garden center in Westlake, and they sell their own fertilizer and soil as well.
Great local garden center with Westlake and Willoughby locations.
A family-owned greenhouse with an extensive selection of succulents and cacti.
A family-owned garden center.
In Chagrin Falls, Lowes offers consultation, classes, events, and a wide array of plants. If you bring in your own pots, they will plant whatever combo you would like and have them ready for the outdoors when the frost is passed.
A 50+ years old, family owned garden center with nine locations that have everything you need for indoor and outdoor plants, patio furniture, pots, and garden decor.
Located in Independence, Trickers is America's oldest water-garden specialty store and also has a vast collection of yard and patio decor.
Cool Things to Know
An urban agricultural work-study program for high school teens that was started in 1996 by the Cleveland Botanical Garden, now a part of Holden Forests & Gardens with the Holden Arboretum. For more than 20 years, they have employed over 1,000 youth who work at urban farms in the Midtown, Slavic Village, Fairfax, and Buckeye-Woodland neighborhoods.
Cleveland Botanical Gardens has a beautiful library packed with resources and offers classes with knowledgeable staff to assist.
There are a variety of garden clubs in Cleveland and joining one is a great way to get connected to fellow gardeners in your new town. Applications for membership varies, so we suggest you go to the club's website you are interested in to find out more.
A composting company. It began in 2014 as two guys hauling restaurant food waste (via bicycles at first) to produce organic compost they needed for farming. It has turned into a thriving, city-wide program for both commercial and residential composting.
Gardens for Kids
The Cleveland Botanical Gardens is a great place to be with little ones. The Ron and Lydia Harrington Perennial Playspace is great for inclement days. When the sun is shining, you can head outdoors to the Hershey Children's Garden for interactive outside fun. Make sure to bring a change of clothes for your children as there are some fun water features.
Photo Credits
Photo Credit Executive Arrangements.
Photo Credit Brad Withers from Executive Arrangements.
Map Courtesy of USDA.
Photo Credit The Cleveland Botanical Gardens.
Photo Credit Kingwood Center Gardens via Wikipedia.
Photo Credit Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.
Photo Credit Rockefeller Park Greenhouse via Facebook.
Photo Credit The Cleveland Botanical Gardens.
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