The Best Way To Create Micro Climates In Your Landscape
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at
6:18 PM
Many gardeners live in areas where almost anything can grow effortlessly. Just plant the seeds and water it for a few weeks, and you’ve got a beautifully lush plant. But if you live in somewhere like Colorado, you’ll understand what its like to have a slim selection of plants that naturally grow. It can be quite a challenge to facilitate the growth of a large variety of plants, especially when the very world you live in seems to be rooting against you.
Some people solve this problem by loading up their plants with every type of chemical and fertilizer known to man. This usually works, but to me it seems kind of unnatural to rely on man made materials to keep your plants alive. Also, if I’m growing fruits or vegetables, I don’t feel very comfortable eating something that is entirely composed of chemicals.
A gardening theory that I have relied on in the past to grow many types of plants is that of creating a “microclimate” for each type of plant. This is when you regulate the sunlight, shade, moisture, and wind factors for each separate plant. It sounds like a challenge, and it is. But you can regulate these factors in such a way that the plant feels just like it is in the ideal growing conditions. This can be achieved by the use of wind barriers, shading umbrellas, extra water, or different types or amounts of compost.
If you’re ready to make an attempt at creating microclimates, you’ll need to make a detailed plan in advanced. You should start by finding a large shade providing bush or tree that will grow fast and naturally in your area. Just look at some undeveloped plots of land and see what is there. Most likely it grew on its own without any planting or care. This is what you want to happen. Usually the growing of one plant can bring about the growing of another more desirable plant.
If you have a fence in your backyard (you would be surprised at how many people don’t) then you already have a good amount of shade to work with. You can start the microclimate process using just the shade of the fence, combined with (perhaps) a screen or large bush to shade your new plant for the other half of the day that the fence doesn’t take care of. The fence is also useful for shading against wind for very fragile plants.
Once you have established the shade, be it natural or unnatural, you have created a slightly less harsh miniature environment. You must remember this is a gradual process, and find a new plant to put in the shade of the other one. Now your choices are a little more open. You don’t have to go with a rugged plant like the one you did before; you can now choose a plant that survives in cooler weather.
If the plant you are trying to grow next requires more moisture in the air than your area provides, installing a fountain or small pond can fix this problem due to the evaporation. You may think you don’t want to waste water on a pond or fountain, but it’s all going toward the betterment of your garden. It’s just like the watering process, only indirect. As an added benefit, usually fountains are quite aesthetically attractive and a great addition to your garden.
I can’t explain every stage of the process, because everyone’s goals and setups are slightly different. But to reach your goal, you should do research on every plant that you would like to have in your garden. Find out everything you can about the zone that it flourishes in, and ask yourself how you can emulate that zone within your own backyard. Almost always you can take control of the environment and recreate whatever you wish. Usually all it takes is some planning and strategy. Learn more about lawn care tips at our Chicago Landscapers site.
This great garden tool gift set comes complete with a cultivator and trowel. It also includes a pair of cotton gardening gloves and gardeners soap made from pumice vitamins and vegetable matter. Professional grade gardener s gift set with trowel and cultivator Sturdy trowel and cultivator Includes garden gloves and soap
Our deluxe 3piece Ascot aluminum tool set is a great starter set or addition to any gardener s collection. The trowel transplanter and cultivator each feature a lightweight balanced design that provides strength as well as a comfort grip and thumb rest. Packaged in a full color gift box. Rumford Green handles. For over 25 years The Rumford Gardener has been the manufacturer of choice for master gardeners landscapers hobbyists and homeowners. All Rumford tools carry a lifetime warranty and are designed to make your gardening tasks easy and enjoyable.
Colorful kids plastic trowel fork and cultivator are the perfect size for little hands. Includes a holster with leater belt loop for carrying the tools in style. Get the whole family gardening with kids tools from The Rumford Gardener. For over 25 years The Rumford Gardener has been the manufacturer of choice for master gardeners landscapers hobbyists and homeowners. All Rumford tools carry a lifetime warranty and are designed to make your gardening tasks easy and enjoyable.
GardenTuff tools are made from a proprietary polyglass resin that posses an incredible strength to weight ratio. Along with superior strength the lightweight design includes the patented ergonomic comfortgrip handle for hours of fatiguefree gardening. The GardenTuff trowel is perfect for light to medium digging while the cultivator will break up and prepare soil for planting. Use the transplanter to carefully remove plants from soil for replanting. For over 25 years The Rumford Gardener has been the manufacturer of choice for master gardeners landscapers hobbyists and homeowners. All Rumford tools carry a lifetime warranty and are designed to make your gardening tasks easy and enjoyable.
Carry a trowel and cultivator together in one aluminum tool with comfort handle. For over 25 years The Rumford Gardener has been the manufacturer of choice for master gardeners landscapers hobbyists and homeowners. All Rumford tools carry a lifetime warranty and are designed to make your gardening tasks easy and enjoyable. Limited lifetime warranty on tools 5year limited warranty on tote
The Rumford gardener butterfly kneeler is a colorful and fun little helper that can help your children enjoy garden work. This set includes a fun butterflydesign knee pad and two colorful gardening tools with wood handles. Designed to keep little knees comfortable the foam kneelers will keep your child s knees protected as they have fun in the garden and the two safe handgardening tools will keep them digging in the garden for hours.
Three tools sized just for kids. Rake spade and hoe feature colorful kidsafe powder coated metal heads and hardwood handles. About 44 long. Get the whole family gardening with kids tools from The Rumford Gardener. Limited lifetime warranty
Bulb and garden planter. Easy twisting action makes a perfect hole for bulbs and bedding plants. Long handle prevents bending so you can plant while standing. 37 x 10 x 5. Length: 37. Width: 5. Height: 10
Set of 2 Garden Baskets. Item #40892Vintagestyle green distressed tool and equipment baskets each feature the word GARDEN and a stylish handleDimensions of each basket:. Small: 10 H x 11 W x 5 D. Large: 12 H x 13 W x 5 DMaterial(s): wrought iron
No more stooping bending or sore knees. The Garden Kneeler converts from a comfortable bench for sitting to a cushioned kneeler by simply flipping it over. Sturdy handles provide leverage for standing up. Folds neatly for storage and easy portability. 24 x 11 x 5. Length: 24. Width: 5. Height: 11
Cedar Creek Illinois Inc strives to create beautiful furniture to be used outside or inside. Their wood products are made of Western Red Cedar which resists insect attack rot and weathering extremely well. These tool holders have storage space for 12 long handled tools. They are ideal for the garden shed or garage. Product Dimensions 19 x 20.5 x 30 inches.
Garden hoe. Real Tools For Kids series. Tool head and handle are kid sized for comfort and ease of use. Lacquered hardwood handle won t splinter. Sturdy steel head is kid tough. 4.50 x 3 head size. 42 handle. Length: 44.25. Width: 4. Height: 4.5
GardenTuff tools are made from a proprietary polyglass resin that has a high strength to weight ratio. Along with superior strength the lightweight design includes a patented ergonomic comfortgrip handle for hours of fatiguefree gardening. The GardenTuff trowel is perfect for light to medium digging while the cultivator will break up and prepare soil for planting. Use the transplanter to carefully remove plants from soil for replanting. The included canvas tool wrap with 6 pockets provides easy hanging storage for the GardenTuff tools and others.
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