zones 3 and 4

 
Someone wrote to the group about growing conditions in zone 3
and 4. I have to admit, this is a concern of mine. I live near
Pocatello, Idaho in a zone 4 (which once in a decade or so acts
like a zone 3... and kills the fruit trees).
 
We get huge temperature swings between day and night. In the
summer our days can be in the 90's, while the nights still drop into
the 50's. A 40 degree swing is not uncommon. This daily swing is
a concern of mine... although this coming year will be my second
and I don't have a lot of experience in this.
 
After living here for 10 years, I have a theory as to why potatoes
are grown here. Its because with potatoes, your product is
protected underground! The wind and temperature swings don't
hurt them down there. That, and apparently potatoes don't mind
our alkaline soils.
 
On the plus side, we get almost constant sun between May and
October. The climate is too harsh for many of the bugs, and I don't
even think about the diseases that you in the humid areas have
to worry about. And I'm about as far north as Buffalo, NY. 
 
I'd welcome a discussion about climatic and geographical concerns.
Anyone else out there have these dry conditions and large temperature
swings?
 
Cliff in Idaho
Best: 125 lb.- 2000 Rookie year,
using store bought seed,
in soil with the alkalinity of a bar of soap...
 

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