Flora of Saskatchewan - Growing Season

Growing Season

Saskatchewan possesses a continental climate and the seasonal variations in temperature provide a short growing season. On average the province supports 159 to 160 frost-free days, in the far north that number dimishes to 85 to 95 frost free days. In 1967, Canadian scientists created a map outlining Plant Hardiness Zones. The hardiness zones examine climatic gradations such as length of frost-free period, summer rainfall, maximum summer temperatures, minimum winter temperatures, and wind speed. The harshest plant environment is 0 and the mildest is rated as 8. Corresponding data was correlated for plant requirements. Such an examination provides direction to which flora may survive the geographical hardiness zone conditions. A development in the late 1800s encouraged homesteaders to pursue agriculture. Red Fife wheat (Triticum aestivum) matured 20 days before other wheats, which allowed plants to ripen before the autumn frost.

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Famous quotes containing the words growing and/or season:

    They dance with reluctance, they are growing civilized; the old men
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    Robinson Jeffers (1887–1962)

    When I was bound apprentice, in famous Lincolnshire,
    Full well I served my master for more than seven year,
    Till I took up poaching, as you shall quickly hear:
    Oh, ‘tis my delight on a shining night, in the season of the year.
    Unknown. The Lincolnshire Poacher (l. 1–4)