Return to the Tropicalesque Garden Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
trying to determine micro climates
| | |
Posted by merryd SC 7b/8a (My Page) on Thu, Sep 21, 06 at 20:53
| I realize this will be a hard question to answer because of so many variables, but I'm trying to figure how to estimate micro climates. Which things should be concidered more important-sun, wind or elevation? One of my possibilites for marginal plants is near the top of a small bank (aprox. 8' drop at 30 degreest toward SE) that has better wind protection on the E/SE and little from the N/NW. It will receive good winter sun but has a small drainage creek with lots of rocks and a 4' culvert at the bottom which is definitly cooler in the summer with the leaves on the trees. Would a good sized or several rocks placed NW help much? Other areas get shelter but little sun. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: trying to determine micro climates
| | |
| In general, more wind is going to be harder on plants, and spots at the bottom of a hill are going to tend to be colder then at the top of the hill. So for the best protection, I would go for a sheltered spot at a higher point in your yard. That's only an estimation though, it's hard to predict exactly where the coldest air is going to flow, and you can end up with cold pockets in unexpected places sometimes. Planted right up against the house (as long as it's not exposed to strong winds) is also a very good place for borderline plants. I've found the best way to figure out microclimates is observation--there are some plants that I know are sort of borderline for me, and if I have that same plant in multiple places in the yard then I can tell where it does the best and suffers the least frost damage. |
RE: trying to determine micro climates
| | |
| I am trying to do the same thing and I read this in a gardening magazine. this fall buy a bag of daffodils and plant them around the yard in several places you think might be warmer. In the spring the daffodils that bloom first are in a warmer area. The magazine told of someone who had done this and found that and area in her yard had blooms almost 3 weeks before some other parts. |
RE: trying to determine micro climates
| | |
| If you ever get snow or ice, look and see where it melts first. Those are your warmest microclimates. |
|
|
|
|
