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MICROCLIMATES
BY GLADYS JEURINK
In previous
articles I have mentioned micronutrients. This week I want to talk about
microclimates. By definition a microclimate is an area within a larger
area that has some difference such as light, wind protection, less or
more water, and or change in soil. The differences can be either good or
bad. I am sure that each of
us has one or more of these areas in our landscape.
Sometimes we can use these areas to grow a plant that would not
survive otherwise.
My yard has a
wood fence on the north and east sides as well as shrubs that break up
the force of the wind. One
of my garden magazines had an article on fences and gave what distance
the boards should be spaced so the wind is slowed but not completely
stopped. If it hits a solid fence turbulence is created that harms the
plants.
Parts of my
yard thaw out as much as two weeks before others.
There are areas that freeze much later than others.
Cold air goes downhill and collects in obstructions. Some people
make maps of their yards over the years to show these various
differences. By doing this they can plant a favorite plant in different
areas of the yard and have a much longer blooming period for their pet.
For example, crocus on the south side of your house may be up and
blooming before the ones on the north are coming up.
Another
micro-climate is found in yards that drain away to low spots that
retains water. There are a number
of plants that can stand wet feet. For example, if you like willows of
any kind, as well as some iris (Siberian,
There are some
that can be planted at the edge of your lily pond in water several
inches deep. There is a
story of one king who was backed up against a bog by an opposing Army
and was about to be destroyed. He noticed pseudoacoris growing and knew
it was a bog and not a pond and he and his troops escaped during the
night. Ligularia dentata
needs to be moist all the time or they droop badly. They also prefer
light shade and protection from winds. Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium) is a
tall (6 foot) plant butterflies love and prefers a damp soil.
It is a perennial that will not grow as tall without plenty of
moisture.
Trollius
(Trollius cultorum) also called Globe Flower lives on the edge of my bog
area and has a very bright or yellow bloom but never lives over 2 or 3
years for me. It may be I don’t keep my bog wet enough. Queen of the
Meadow (Filipendula rubra) lives in the same area-wet feet and high
shade. The Queen is taking over the bog area growing about 4 feet high
with big, fluffy pink flower heads about six inches long and 4 inches
wide. Some people call it
Meadow Sweet. Lobelias, Astilbe, hostas, heleniums and calla lilies like
constant moist feet but not covered with water.
Most of us in
Lincoln and South Central Nebraska are plagued by hot dry areas rather
than wet ones. Here the
natives shine such as Coneflowers, Achillas, and Mexican Hats. Many
annuals do well such as Zinnias, Cosmos, and annual Poppies. I lost a
number of Penstemons before I realized they prefer a desert to a pond.
The ones doing well now are planted on a slight slope facing south that
drains well after a rain. Nearly any gray leafed plant prefers drier
soil. If you look closely at
their leaves they may be gray because of the many hairs that slows down
evaporation. My gray garden does well out in the parkway with several
species of Artemesia, Lambs Ears, and Pussey Toes.
You can make a
climate map of your yard by observing what goes on! The west side of a
heavily branched shrub makes a wind protection area. The south side
warms up first in spring which is not necessarily a good thing as an
early bloomer is likely to get its flowers frozen.
Putting your earlier bloomers in a cold spot may save your
flowers.
Your can make
your own microclimates. A raised bed will warm up faster and drain
sooner for earlier crops such as radish and lettuce. The natives of
I find that
just my mulching in the fall after the first freeze helps me keep a
number of USDA Zone 6 plants from year to year. The books on xeriscaping
all recommend separating your plants into areas with the water lovers
together and near the house with the dry lovers to the back. It saves
you on carrying hoses very far or often.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR MICRO-CLIMATE AND
YOUR PLANTS WILL DO MUCH BETTER. Copyright 2011
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DID YOU KNOW?
BY GLADYS JEURINK
·
Bananas
came from
·
Grapefruit
is from the
·
These and
many other facts came from the book “How a Fly Walks Upside Down” by
Martin Goldwyn. It was first printed in 1979.
Copyright 2011 |