I'm sure most of you know what zone you're in for planting. I thought I'd write a nice little guide to the growing zones of Alberta for future reference for everyone else, maybe it'll save some googling time.
Direct Link to the Canada Wide Hardiness Zone Map
In my case, my "HQ" and "Drop Zone" are different locations and zones, they require different attention to the land. Going from 3A to 2B, my drop zone is (according to my current weather data calculations) is out of a nuclear fall out wind pattern from the United States. Sadly increasing my chances of exposure from a fall out from Japan, but Japan DOES and have developed proper power back-up to properly shut down nuclear power plants in the event of a natural disaster such as we saw with the last Tsunami that hit. Japan declared its tsunami-stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant to be in cold shutdown.. Another "Black Eye" for the nuclear power industry. Food for thought in your Urban Escape.
As many preppers, striving for independence, the majority of us will look at the idea of planting our own fruits and vegetables.
If anyone has any links, contacts or any information on Seed Sellers dedicated to the regions of Alberta and the hardiness zones I'd like to post them! You're welcome to send me a PM or post a reply and I'll edit my post, with credits.
What is a hardiness zone?
Canada has nine zones, ranging from 0 (the harshest) to 8 (the mildest). Each zone is divided into two parts, with “a” being harsher than “b.” In creating the zone map, minimum and maximum temperatures, snow cover, rainfall, wind patterns
and the average number of frost-free days were
all taken into account.
But as gardeners know, our weather patterns vary from year to year, especially with the effects of global warming. In addition, the location (south side versus north side) of your plot can affect the growing conditions of your plants.
How do you use it?
As a general rule, if you live in Zone 6, you should have good success with plants hardy in Zone 6 and up to three zones colder. Plants hardy to Zone 8 would never survive the winter in your yard. So, although the zone map is a useful starting point for all of us, consider your own yard’s conditions and your area’s weather fluctuations when choosing yearly plantings.
Another, more detailed and interactive, website for Alberta hardiness zones:
http://www.plantmaps.com/interactive-alberta-plant-zone-hardiness-map.php
Has anyone in Alberta had any success with nut or fruit producing trees? I would love some info on breeds of apples, especially heirloom varieties, that do well in our province. I know you can find wild beaked hazelnuts, too, and would love to find a domesticated version.
Keep the info coming!
I know this is bringing up an old post, but; I do have a small, but very, plentiful apple tree that I had planted 6/7 years ago and now stands roughly 8-9 feet tall (I had bent the branches downwards with a water bottle so it lost a year of production). It produces small (about 3+ inch diameter) sweet apples, I cannot for the life of me remember the name, but it is currently planted in a zone 3a; the original seeds came from a zone 4 from my uncles farm just north west of Red Deer. Every year I turn it to apple butter, jam, pies and an afternoon snack. On average it produces about 100+ apples a year, more if I didn't have so many crows in the area.
If you're looking for any seeds; I'd be happy to send you some come harvest.
Do you prune the tree at all, you will get larger apples with a smaller tree. If you know what I'm talking about than disregard the advise that I'm about to preach. Get advice someone who has done fruit tree pruning, to determine the extent of pruning required. "Mark the branches in the fall that aren't producing much fruit, and remove them later. Do Not, trim or prune until the leaves, leave the tree or wait till late winter before the budding starts", this will cause less trauma to the tree. Don’t forget to paint the stubs, (There is special coatings for tree stubs). Your fruit trees should not be allowed the grow wild. Good Harvesting. 
"We 'Prep.' to live after a downfall, Not just to survive."