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Climate And Weather Effects On The Garden

12.04.2011 · Posted in Other A&E Article

Weather – is the combination of rainfall, temperature, wind sunshine and air humidity which affects your garden at a particular point in time.rnrnClimate – is the summing up of the weather that is likely to affect your garden throughout the year. The climate maps of your area can be used as a rough guide only. They provide averages over many years rather than telling you the extremes of climatic conditions which you are likely to enjoy (or suffer) during a specific year. In addition, the general climate of your region will probably much modified by factors all around the garden (the local climate) and the factors around each plant (the microclimate).rnrnGeneral climate.rnThe general climate can provide a rough guide to the weather you may expect in your garden. In Britain it varies from nearly sub-tropical (S.W. coastal areas) to almost sub-arctic (N.Scottish highlands). The general climate is controlled by the latitude, altitude, direction of the prevailing wind as well as closeness to the sea. The effect of latitude is obvious to everyone, southern gardens are warmer than northern ones. The effect of being close to the sea is equally recognized, western coastal gardens are kept virtually frost-free by the Gulf Stream. Less well known is the effect of small increases in altitude and the plant-damaging effect of salt in coastal areas for as much as 5 miles inland.rnrnLocal climate.rnThe local climate is the modified form of general climate. It is controlled by:rnSlope – a south facing sloping position begins its growing season about 1 week before a level plot.rnOpenness – nearby trees and bushes can cast shade and reduce solar energy, but they will also reduce the damaging effect of high winds.rnProximity of buildings – town gardens are affected in lots of ways by the nearness of walls, houses etc. Walls cast shadows and thus reduce solar energy, these can also cast rain shadows and so decrease rainfall. Walls affect the temperature, heat is released over night and south facing walls can potentially form a sun trap.rnSoil type – frosts are more prone to occur over sandy soils than over heavy ones.rnProximity of water – a close-by large lake can have a good cooling effect on hot summer days.rnrnMicro climate – The is the customized form of local climate in the immediate vicinity of a plant. Huge variations can occur from one part of your garden to a different part. Close by walls and hedges or overhanging plants will naturally result in less light and less rainfall than in an open garden, the effect of this rain shadow can be to cut the water supply to only 25% of the rainfall in the open garden. On the credit side the effect of nearby walls and plants is to cut the risk of frost on clear, still nights and to reduce the harmful effect of wind. The overall climate cannot, of course, be changed. The local climate is usually impossible to change but they can often be improved by introducing cloches or windbreaks.rnrnrnI have been involved with the Do-It-Yourself and Gardening industry for over 30 years. So I think now is the time to spread the good word around about Landscape Gardeners operating within in the UK. Most of them are fantastic. I have worked for one company for over 20 years.

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