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Combat Zone Envy - Make Microclimates - Page 5

© Carol Wallace

Air Circulation Remember what I said earlier about hot air rising. The reverse is also true - cold air sinks. Look around your yard early one autumn or spring morning and see which areas have frost on the lawn. They are probably all the depressions in the land. Our yard isn't level anywhere, so it's easy to see that wherever the ground slopes down we have frost - whereas the high points are quite clear. So the lesson is clear - plants that need heat belong on higher ground than those that prefer cold.

Wind is another factor that affects the microclimate. Plants that are sheltered from winter winds survive better than those that are right out there getting the brunt of them. So slightly tender plants need as much wind protection as possible.

Put trees or shrubs in areas that get high winds if you need to create an area that is safe for tender plants. I am growing bamboo that is allegedly only marginally hardy in zone 7 and it is quite happy in my zone 6 garden. . I am growing it between a stone wall and a hedge of tall evergreen trees - and it is planted at what is the highest elevation on my property. It flourishes for me because of the protection from wind as well as the heat and light reflected from the stone wall.

Pay attention to these factors and you can probably find little safe spots in your yard that will let you grow those plants that you used to envy in your neighbor's yard.

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