I'm a transplant from Miami, FL and the humidity here (just northwest of Charlotte) is nowhere near as bad. And we have all four seasons with a mild winter. You will love the weather here! I just put in a fall crop of veggies and will be gardening on into November if all goes as planned. Then I'll be winter-sowing in January. If you're used to amending clay soils you will have no problem here. I just add everything (grass clippings, fall leaves, manure, etc.)on top, lasagna style, and have enjoyed building up some great garden soil in the last 3 1/2 years. Let us know when you arrive. :)Rosemary

former New Yorker who absolutely loves the climate here. We've been here nearly 15 years and we still can't get over how beautiful the weather is most of the time. Yes, it's true - we get true four seasons and maybe even some snow in January, but it usually melts quickly. You will love it here... we do!

Fargo..isn't that the place where the weather forecasters tell us it is the coldest spot in the USA in winter??
If so, prepare to fall in love with this climate.
Prepare to be overwhelmed by all the different kinds of plants you can have growing here.
Truly, parts of NC you can grow tropicals (if you bring them in to winter over). Even palm trees grow here..not wonderfully well as in Florida but they grow.
Prepare yourself to see flowers blooming (even if it's just pansies) 12 months of the year.
Not to mention the glorious blue skies in winter. Perks up the spirits.
Plus..the variety of available housing is wonderful.
So much to choose from.

True, Westerners have a hard time adjusting to the level of humidity but it isn't nearly as humid year round as the Deep South.

Actually, the worst humidity I ever had to live in was in Louisville, KY. There were weeks at a time when it was 95 degrees or more and 100% humidity! And it wasn't raining! Now, THAT will get your attention.

I lived in Atlanta and now in SC (and, yeah, in Santa Barbara, CA but THAT isn't real, is it? LOL) and it isn't so bad most of the time. You adjust to working outdoors early in the morning and later in the evening. There is always something to do indoors during the worst part of the day.

We've been here 15 years and love it here. Yes, late July and early August was brutal. That's why half the city plans beach or mountain vacations between July 15 and Aug 15! I grew up slightly further north in VA...just as hot in summer and winters were awful. Cold and Windy from November till April. Went to grad school in TN...also cold and windy in winter there and summers were hot and humid.

Our winters are WONDERFUL here! We get just enough cold and snow (usually only every few years) to make us appreciate living somewhere where it can also be 65-70 in January. Average first frost is mid November, last frost early April. We use our screened porch almost year round.

Our soil is clay...amend, amend, amend...but as Dottie said, you can grow lots of things.

Y'all come down and see us ya hear!

I'm not sure I can add much...but here goes. I live just south of Charlotte in SC. I commute to Charlotte each to day go to work and get there in less than 30 minutes. BTW if you do move down here stay out of Mecklenberg County. The taxes and schools are awful. Look more in the areas of Union County, NC or York County, SC. As far as the humidity during the summer isn't that bad...but you do learn that if there's gardening to be done do it in the morning or the evening. This way you can nap during the hottest part of the day. ;-)

I've picked fresh tomatoes and served them as part of Thanksgiving dinner. I plant English Peas in January and they're ready by about May 1st. The last frost date here is April 15th.

As far as the clay....everyone has recommended amending it. I never have added anything to mine and everything grows beautifully including roses. The house where I live is about 30 years old so when they built it they didn't scrape away the top layer of soil so it is full of all sorts of organic matter. I think that's how I've gotten away with not amending.

Carole

Have to agree with Carole about Mecklenburg. We high tailed out of there three years ago. In Union Cty now.
Very agricultural area and lots of picturesque horse farms.
Only trouble with Union is that darn streak of bull-tallow clay. If you find it running in your yard you have to remove it and replace with red clay or a better soil. Had it in Matthews too, in parts of the yard.
Since Mary doesn't mention children/school concerns they could settle just about anywhere and be happy gardening in this climate.

Honestly, I don't understand the Charlotte-bashing that has become such a popular hobby these days. Especially not coming from a place like Union County, which seems to be living on the reputation it had 30 years ago. Unfortunately, in 2006 it's exurbia-on-steroids. Fastest growing county in North Carolina, meaning developments are popping up faster than toadstools and the infrastructure is strained to the point of collapse. Last time I was down there (having driven no faster than 15 mph in the gridlock on Highway 16) I drove past a dead deer carcass lying at the edge of a Target Superstore under construction, in the middle of what used to be fields and forests, and that kind of summed the place up for me.

Charlotte will be a good fit for you if you need culture in your life (excellent opera, symphony, ballet company, several theatres) some actual gourmet and/or ethnic food now and then (we are not talking Macaroni Grill, ok?), and the hustle and bustle of lots of different kinds of people. Best of all, the city is well-known for its beautiful gardens, and there are many gardening groups and public gardens to become involved with and learn with.
You should check it out.

You don't have to live in Charlotte to enjoy Charlotte when there are other Mecklenburg towns (or Union,Gaston,Iredell. Cabarrus.York and Lancaster towns) with lower taxes,often smaller school systems, lower housing prices and proximity to all that Charlotte has to offer.
To someone coming from North Dakota who wants to garden, I should avoid Charlotte real estate in favor of other areas with less restrictive neighborhood rules and larger properties.
Since the OP hasn't returned perhaps this is all moot.

From reading all the posts you are getting more then gardening advice! Where you move is a personal issue depending on family situations and where your hubby's job will be. We are a growing city so there are quite a few choices for you to make in that regard.

As far as the gardening and weather, it is wonderful here. It sounds like you are familiar with "building up the soil" and that is a constant here with the clay and some of us have a lot of rock. The draughts can be challenging and you realize that the flowers you grew in the north have weather-shock in the south. I usually say that winter is the months of January and February here. By the first of March I am out in the garden again and there are a few days in the winter months when you can put a good day's work in. It is just grand! We have garden centers, garden clubs, public and private gardens, and several yearly garden tours which you need to go on plus a nice Spring show.

You might want to subscribe to a great magazine called "Carolina Gardener". There is another great book called "North Carolina Gardeners Guide" by Toby Bost.

Good luck and let us know if you make it here.

I live about 40 miles south of Charlotte in Lancaster, SC area. There are much better schools here and taxes. The crime in Charlotte is ridiculous and it is every part of that city. I used to live in Buffalo, NY and Buffalo feels super safe compared to Charlotte. I lived in Charlotte for 3 months when we moved down originally and we got out of there fast due to the crime and high taxes. Of which they do not spend wisely at all. As for the gardening, the clay isnt that bad and there are some nurseries in town that have high quality top soil for gardens and many different kinds of great plants can be grown easy down here especially like my favorite, the Palmetto palm. So hopefully we will see you down here, just stay out of Meck lenburg County.

I've moved here six weeks ago from Boston, MA, four years ago moved from Taos, NM to Boston. I've had zone 4 mountain gardening in Taos, and zone 6b gardening in Boston. I have to say I absolutely love it here!!! I hear the soil doesn't freeze...the clay is disconcerting and definitely a lot of work to amend. A good rototiller is recommended. The humidity is amazing. It doesn't get too hot but I have never sweat so much before. I have a huge yard with lots of trees(22 in one bed) I've removed some to allow more sunlight and everything is doing well. I'm planning to till the clay under with soil conditioner, peat, vermiculite, perlite and shredded paper. I may lasagna layer an area in front for a new bed next year.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT HERE!!!!!
Michael

Thank you for not bashing Charlotte!

First frost usually around Nov 5th. Summers can be hot and muggy. It's the humidity that can get a bit thick. Nothing a good glass of iced tea and some A/C can't handle. Garden early in the day.

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