Courtenay Climate?

The following was sent in via email:

I need to know the last frost date for Courtenay BC. I have just moved from Alberta.

Jane

 

You would think this info would be standard on city municipal websites, but I can't find it. Courtenay is apparently zone 7b - 8b, so it will be milder than you were used to in Alberta. Any gardeners in Courtenay with advice for Jane?

 

Hi Jane. I grew up in Parksville, very similar climate, just down the road from Courtenay.
My best guess is sometime around the first week of April ~ quite soon!

 

The Courtenay climate is generally zone 8: some 8b's to be had, and in some choice pockets, pushing a zone 9. That being said, the Comox valley has enough geographic variation to make site matter a great deal: I'm 2 weeks behind my neighbour, on the other side of the ridge: in the winter, I've lost plants, while my friend mere kilometers away continues to grow the same species without a problem. My average date of last killing frost? Generally the second week of april.

 

It depends on where in the comox valley you are. I live a mile up hill from Royston towards Cumberland, and I have seen frost up too mid April. This year is extremely warm, but who can predict what Mother will do. Mid to late April would be a safe bet.