-----------------------------------------------------------
Stalking the elusive micro-climate
------------------------------------------------------------
Author: staff writer

Do you even wonder why your neighbor's tulips always bloom before yours? It's not that you're a bad gardener! It's because he or she is the beneficiary of a microclimate!

A microclimate is a small area that generally has a different temperature or conditions than the rest of your garden. It may be either warmer or colder; wetter or drier.

While the Champlain Valley is generally considered to be a zone 4 with zone 5 leanings, you can learn to take advantage of microclimates in your yard to

• Get earlier blooms
• Help fragile plants over-winter
• Increase your production

The spring is the perfect time to look around your garden to identify microclimates!

Questions to help you find micro-climates:

1) Where do I see bare earth first?
2) Where do crocuses pop up first?
3) Where does the snow last the longest?
4) Where do I get the largest blooms (compare like to like!)
5) Where is my grass soggiest?

The first two questions will help you find a warmer microclimate. Use this area to help your more fragile plants along. Or plant your bulbs here to ensure early blooms.

The third question will identify a colder microclimate. You might want to consider putting a hardier plant here. Or it might be a good place for a rest area in the heat of the summer. Or, you could make a longer rose season by placing some bushes in both microclimates. The blooms in the cooler climate will be retarded.

Questions four and five will help identify wetter or drier areas.

Consideration of your local microclimate is an important part of garden planning.

   About LakeChamplain.com | Help | Contact Us