Garden microclimates
Wind
Hot, dry winds reduce humidity and increase evaporation from the plants and soil, while plants growing in groups close together can increase the humidity and reduce evaporation. Lawns, ground covers and shaded walls will cool areas as moisture evaporates from them into the air.
A wind blowing across a pool increases the humidity, cooling the air, and reducing evaporation from the garden. Ferns will quickly shrivel if planted by themselves or in a windy open spot. They need moisture in the air to survive.
Very strong winds will slow down and stunt plant growth. You often see examples of this near the coast where the trees have all their leaves on one side or look like bonsai plants because of the force of the wind. Cold winds blowing around a house can considerably increase winter heating bills by lowering surrounding wall temperatures.
The location of plants and structures can modify wind by obstructing, guiding, deflecting and filtering the air flow, significantly reducing watering needs by reducing evaporation.
A wind blowing across a pool increases the humidity, cooling the air, and reducing evaporation from the garden. Ferns will quickly shrivel if planted by themselves or in a windy open spot. They need moisture in the air to survive.
Very strong winds will slow down and stunt plant growth. You often see examples of this near the coast where the trees have all their leaves on one side or look like bonsai plants because of the force of the wind. Cold winds blowing around a house can considerably increase winter heating bills by lowering surrounding wall temperatures.
The location of plants and structures can modify wind by obstructing, guiding, deflecting and filtering the air flow, significantly reducing watering needs by reducing evaporation.
Slope
Blocks located on steep slopes are exposed to strong winds or extra rainfall run-off from slopes higher up which can cause dangerous and severe erosion. Or in some volcanic and shale soils, water may drain too quickly, disappearing down cracks and faults in the soil before it soaks in.
A garden in the bottom of a valley is often cooler and wetter and can suffer more from frosts than one further up the slope, because cold air collects at the lowest points.
Home gardeners can modify these conditions by landscaping and using plants and positioning garden beds to absorb this excess water and reduce the speed of the run-off. Soil improvement terracing and planting can all help the soil to use the water that can disappear before it soaks in.
In frosty areas choose plants that adapt to the conditions. Modify planting so cool air flows away and use plants that like moist soils.
A garden in the bottom of a valley is often cooler and wetter and can suffer more from frosts than one further up the slope, because cold air collects at the lowest points.
Home gardeners can modify these conditions by landscaping and using plants and positioning garden beds to absorb this excess water and reduce the speed of the run-off. Soil improvement terracing and planting can all help the soil to use the water that can disappear before it soaks in.
In frosty areas choose plants that adapt to the conditions. Modify planting so cool air flows away and use plants that like moist soils.