Garden Planning! - Choosing the Right Plants for your space

Sun exposure drives so much in our container gardens... so much.    Plus, I am learning that it isn't exact science which is frustrating and overwhelming and makes me spin in circles.  I will spare you the pain of the circles in my head because that isn't fun for any of us!  Here is what I have learned:

Hardiness Zones:  First things first, find out the USDA hardiness zone that you live in.  In downtown Denver I am 5b.  Now, take this number with a bit of grain of salt as your space may require different plants due to the other areas I outlined below.  This year I am going to start exploring plants that are more fitted to a different zone.  I know that I might fail and I am not basing my entire garden off of these.  Here is the map and click on the image to be linked to how to find yours.

USDA Hardiness Zone Map

Sun Exposure:  Do you have a north, south, east or west facing space?  This drives the amount of sun exposure you have and will create a focus for you on the plants that will work for your place.  Also, if you get afternoon sun the heat will be much more severe where as morning sun will be more gentle.  The terms that I always hear that are associated with sun exposure:  Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade.  Part Shade and Part Sun are interchangeable.   My balcony is north east facing and my rooftop deck is south facing.  I have to garden differently in both areas.

Microclimate:  In the area where you want to grow your garden are there reflective surfaces, concrete, decking, rocks, the color of the wall, roof top deck etc.  Anything that produces additional heat will change what you plant.  Or if you want more heat because you are north facing you can add items that create heat for example rocks?  Is your space windy?  This will dry out your plants more quickly.

All the concrete creates a very warm microclimate

Heat Tolerance:  How much heat can a plant tolerate?  If you are in a microclimate that creates a lot of heat then you need a plant that will "tolerate" or "thrive" in the heat.  If your space is cooler then avoid the heat loving plants because failure will probably occur and that is no fun.

Throughout the day start paying attention to the exposure in your space.  It will shift quite a bit up until summer solstice, but it gives a good idea of what to expect in the summer.

I hope my circles calm down and I haven't created more for you!