As a new struggling gardener in the hot, dry, windy high desert of Arizona, your discussion of creating microclimates within the garden is one of the most helpful topics i have found. Thank you!
Ideas for you: self-watering containers, very deep raised beds with branches in the bottom, Hugelkultur, and permaculture concepts for getting water to stay where you need it. There are many videos showing gardens in specific areas of the country so you may be able to find some showing gardens in the AZ high desert.
Many thanks for your simple explanation of microclimates. I'm doing a permaculture course atm and tuning in to observing beyond the obvious, challenging old mind-sets and noticing the smaller detail is "nectar" to my learning :) :)
This was so helpful! I have a huge maple tree growing above my home that shades large portions of the patio. I have 2 2x8ft planters that I use for veggies. My tomatoes look like a family, the tallest on the left then descending in height to the right. These tips will make me rethink what to plant in that location in the future. Great video!
I enjoyed your video on micro climates! I'm fascinated by all that. I live on the 6B/7A line in NW Arkansas. 5 years ago I decided to plant a Windmill Palm on the S face protected by my brick house about 5' away. It is now 8' and thriving! I am positive that the south face combined with the brick absorbing the day's heat and radiating back have contributed to it's success. All I do in winter is run a couple strings of C9 lights around the tree, which I believe gives it about 4 degrees of help. I'm not sure how to post a pic on here, so will just say "thanks" and I enjoyed your video quite a bit!
I'm just going thru learning about my growing season. I feel ready for it. Im 30 and never knew u could grow outside in the winter wo a hoop house. I'm nervous for starting seeds. So I might experiment over the winter. I got a seed starter grow light wish me luck
Wow, this video is a game changer for me. Now I know why nothing will grow in one area of my raised bed garden; it is shaded by a poplar tree much of the day in the summer. I’ve had two failed attempts at putting marionberries there. I was going to expand my garden to the south but it may get too much shade from the house just south of that area. A lot to think about before I put in a chicken coop., too. Thank you!
Hey Gardener Scott, I recently found your channel and am working my way through the Understanding Gardening playlist. A few years ago, we moved from a zone 5a to 5b, and to boot, we are at the bottom of a big valley right in front of a large river. It has been so fascinating to experience the difference from just 1 letter in the same zone, and also figuring out what microclimates exist in our yard because of the river, the warm temperatures coming off of it, the protection from the wind in the valley... all so interesting. Onto the next video in the series!
This was absolutely excellent! We are trying to garden in east Texas... zone 8b.... 60 ft tall pine trees, slightly acid deep sugar sand and blistering heat! I'm learning that many plants (most?) that require "full sun" simply cannot survive the heat of our afternoon sun... and the sand (18" - 36" deep) has an insatiable appetite for both water and organic matter. It simply consumes any organic matter or other soil amendments we add. It seems to always want to revert to... well, SAND! And I wonder what the balance is between deep mulch and insect farms? LOL Out of desperation I began thinking in terms of "microclimates" and even "micro-plantings". For example... I don't have the equipment (or desire, really) to grow "field" crops as some do in our area. So I'm beginning to think about smaller, localized "guild" plantings... Islands of (hopefully) fruitfulness amidst the desert of sterile sand. Even then... there is ever the afternoon sun to contend with. It takes time to "grow" shade... so perhaps I need to build temporary shade structures for afternoon protection? Or perhaps some plants simply need to be moved to a place where they miss that scorching afternoon sun alltogether? Does morning sun + late day sun equal the required "full day sun"? I've discovered that raised beds aren't the answer in and of themselves... they tend to become solar ovens for plant roots. Each year I experiment with something new ... each year I seem to discover a few things that don't work as well as I'd hoped.. but usually also 1 or 2 things that show promise... at least for "that" spot! But I'm relentless... This is my home, and I will eventually figure out what and how it is asking me to help it become more fruitful! Thank you for all the many, many helpful videos you've shared. I'm binging them right now. So grateful!
Thanks! Guilds are a great approach to take advantage of microclimates. Sun and shade can take years to grow while a structure is quick. Morning + afternoon sun can be good for many plants. Enjoy the journey.
Well I was going to put a like, but I noticed that my like would be the 666th like… hmmm, so I thought I’d pass or come back later. But then I saw that beautiful blue heart in the sky starting at 2:26 in your vid and thought that l could leave a comment instead. . Love the video, my eyes needed opening to micro climates. God bless you and yours… and your plants. In Jesus Name, amen.
I live in zone 5a. I planted a number of Blackberries 4 years ago. My problem is in the fall our first freeze comes be for the berries turn black. They are in full sun all day long. I am thinking about creating a " plywood fence" on the north side. Do you think that will prolong their growing season? What color should I paint the fence? I have also thought about adding bricks or homemade wall o waters out around them? I also forget to mention I have black landscape fabric all around them.
A fence, bricks, and water bottles along the fence can help create a good microclimate. A dark color will absorb heat. If you build the fence, consider making it so you can drape plastic over the plants when a frost is forecast; that will give extra protection.
Excellent question. I'm also 5a and we are in low land that gets freezes instead of light frost and I also wondered if a fence would help. But some kind of stone woukd be great.
I appreciate the explanation of microclimates. Is there a way to determine what zone a microclimate would be? I live in 7a and I have a bed on the south side of our house that is surrounded by driveway and sidewalk. I’m hoping to add Mediterranean plantings but don’t want to burn them up in the high summer.
The issue I have in the same zone and situation is holding heat at night, buildings(wood) don't seem to give heat back over night and we get the coldest temps then obviously. I have found heavy mulching is needed to count on the zone actually going up 1. It's pretty tricky when we get -10 nights.
I'm currently in zone 8b and am hoping that I have a 9a micro-climate. I have a big yellow house and a nice open South facing wall with mulch lined around it and a few plants here and there. I want to plant a Queen Palm which requires a 9a climate. Also, on the East side of my house there is a relatively large lake. I hear that water can hold heat too. What do you think is the warmer out of the two, the South facing wall or the East facing lake? I also wonder if it is better to have a darker house or lighter house? I know lighter houses reflect the heat possibly onto the plant. But I also know that dark houses can hold more heat and release it at night. Which is better? And if it could be a different hardiness zone or if it is just a warm 8b?
My guess would be the south facing wall. Water does retain heat but it can also cool the air nearby. You're right about the color of a house. A lighter house will reflect light and heat to the southern soil, but that is reduced once a plant grows big enough to shade the wall. A dark wall will absorb heat and release some of it at night, but so will the soil and the lighter wall would do a better job of warming the soil.
I'm trying to grow watermelons and don't really have the heat for it. They will go in black bags next to a southern facing wall with a concrete bottom 🤞
Hello sir i have one doubt sir in case of your garden shaded portion where plants are not grows this is the microclimate or the side where plant grows is microclimate???
That's lovely. I also live in 5b. I had a bunch of plants die in the southeast corner last year, possibly of heat and lack of water. I wonder what I could grow there. Would that be a good spot for a small greenhouse during the winter, if it's already at least a 6a?
Gardener Scott thank you! Great videos! I think shade cloth is the only thing that will work in my space. You’ve help me so much on my path to my dream garden.
@@lauralaspe329 I'm not sure how most people put shade cloth up, but in Texas I put t-posts on the corners, added grommets to the shade cloth, and used a rope to tie it to the posts. If you already have a fence, you could attach one end to the fence and use t-posts on the other side. They wouldn't be very pretty, but they're easy to install, removable, and functional.
I also live in zone 5b on the north shore of lake huron. I dont have access to a south facing side of my building, but have an eastern facing side that gets direct morning light and then light from about 12-1 in the afternoon until sundown. Any recommendations on possible plants that may be rated for zone 6a (or a little higher) which i could possibly plant in my garden? I only have about 183 growing says per year where i am so it cant be anything that requires too long of a season 🤔🤷♂️ @Gardener Scott
It sounds like you're getting enough light to grow most plants. I suggest you check with your local Cooperative Extension office or nursery for the best recommendations. Most of the plants I grow are chosen because they can survive in my dry region. I'm guessing you get more precipitation and would want different plants.
Absolutely. I use shade cloth in early summer to help give my cool season plants extra time to mature before bolting. Early spring plants like lettuce don't need as much sun.
Gardener Scott thanks so much. Gonna try it. I have several microclimates in my yard but never really paid much attention til now! But it’s April already. Great video.
Many plants prefer to be under shade cloth during the summer. I kept tomatoes going through 100+ F for weeks in Texas. Some plants don't. Squash and zucchini would crawl out from under it even when it was 100+. But most everything else appreciated the shade. And it is pretty easy to put up and down (depending on how you attach it).
@@GardenerScott Yes, but could you elaborate on that? Do you have a video about it? If I recall correctly, it is coldest at the bottom because cold drops? So is it warmest at the top or only if the hill is blocking the wind from whatever you've planted?
I would like to ask you about, how much wind effect winter hardiness. A winds chillfactor is about how the winds speed makes us fell cooler, but does that also effect the usda zone number(more wind = lower zone number?)
Good question, Daniel. Believe it or not, wind chill is only applicable to humans. Plants don't feel and aren't affected by wind chill. Plants react to the ambient temperature. The wind may dry them out faster, but it doesn't make them feel colder. When you look at how the USDA determines the Zone numbers, wind chill is not a factor.
@@GardenerScott Thank you for explaining that. That is good to know. I am working on a Tropical garden in denmark, so i need to understand every detail to make it work.
Just imagine if we had more nature in urban areas to the point where we could have a really good microclimate in a city.
You are such a good person to explain something. You were suppose to be a teacher sir. Thank you very much for informative video.
He has such an amazing grasp of the subject matter. Cool and well explained
As a new struggling gardener in the hot, dry, windy high desert of Arizona, your discussion of creating microclimates within the garden is one of the most helpful topics i have found. Thank you!
Thanks, Patricia. You definitely have a challenge ahead. Enjoy the struggle. It's worth it when you find success. 🙂
Ideas for you: self-watering containers, very deep raised beds with branches in the bottom, Hugelkultur, and permaculture concepts for getting water to stay where you need it. There are many videos showing gardens in specific areas of the country so you may be able to find some showing gardens in the AZ high desert.
Im revising for my end of year exams right now and this was really useful, Thanks Scott!!!
Many thanks for your simple explanation of microclimates. I'm doing a permaculture course atm and tuning in to observing beyond the obvious, challenging old mind-sets and noticing the smaller detail is "nectar" to my learning :) :)
Good for you. The small details can make a big difference once you see them.
This was so helpful! I have a huge maple tree growing above my home that shades large portions of the patio. I have 2 2x8ft planters that I use for veggies. My tomatoes look like a family, the tallest on the left then descending in height to the right. These tips will make me rethink what to plant in that location in the future. Great video!
Thank you, Jarret.
I’m trying to create an oasis in zone 8a, high elevation dry and windy and sometimes below freezing. Thanks for the info
I enjoyed your video on micro climates! I'm fascinated by all that. I live on the 6B/7A line in NW Arkansas. 5 years ago I decided to plant a Windmill Palm on the S face protected by my brick house about 5' away. It is now 8' and thriving! I am positive that the south face combined with the brick absorbing the day's heat and radiating back have contributed to it's success. All I do in winter is run a couple strings of C9 lights around the tree, which I believe gives it about 4 degrees of help. I'm not sure how to post a pic on here, so will just say "thanks" and I enjoyed your video quite a bit!
I'm just going thru learning about my growing season. I feel ready for it. Im 30 and never knew u could grow outside in the winter wo a hoop house. I'm nervous for starting seeds. So I might experiment over the winter. I got a seed starter grow light wish me luck
Good luck! You can do it.
Thanks! Great video, I learned alot.
Wow, this video is a game changer for me. Now I know why nothing will grow in one area of my raised bed garden; it is shaded by a poplar tree much of the day in the summer. I’ve had two failed attempts at putting marionberries there. I was going to expand my garden to the south but it may get too much shade from the house just south of that area. A lot to think about before I put in a chicken coop., too. Thank you!
Hey Gardener Scott, I recently found your channel and am working my way through the Understanding Gardening playlist. A few years ago, we moved from a zone 5a to 5b, and to boot, we are at the bottom of a big valley right in front of a large river. It has been so fascinating to experience the difference from just 1 letter in the same zone, and also figuring out what microclimates exist in our yard because of the river, the warm temperatures coming off of it, the protection from the wind in the valley... all so interesting. Onto the next video in the series!
This is an excellent video.
Amazing video! Thank you!
Thank you Scott, keep up the good work.
Thanks.
This was absolutely excellent! We are trying to garden in east Texas... zone 8b.... 60 ft tall pine trees, slightly acid deep sugar sand and blistering heat! I'm learning that many plants (most?) that require "full sun" simply cannot survive the heat of our afternoon sun... and the sand (18" - 36" deep) has an insatiable appetite for both water and organic matter. It simply consumes any organic matter or other soil amendments we add. It seems to always want to revert to... well, SAND! And I wonder what the balance is between deep mulch and insect farms? LOL Out of desperation I began thinking in terms of "microclimates" and even "micro-plantings". For example... I don't have the equipment (or desire, really) to grow "field" crops as some do in our area. So I'm beginning to think about smaller, localized "guild" plantings... Islands of (hopefully) fruitfulness amidst the desert of sterile sand. Even then... there is ever the afternoon sun to contend with. It takes time to "grow" shade... so perhaps I need to build temporary shade structures for afternoon protection? Or perhaps some plants simply need to be moved to a place where they miss that scorching afternoon sun alltogether? Does morning sun + late day sun equal the required "full day sun"? I've discovered that raised beds aren't the answer in and of themselves... they tend to become solar ovens for plant roots. Each year I experiment with something new ... each year I seem to discover a few things that don't work as well as I'd hoped.. but usually also 1 or 2 things that show promise... at least for "that" spot! But I'm relentless... This is my home, and I will eventually figure out what and how it is asking me to help it become more fruitful! Thank you for all the many, many helpful videos you've shared. I'm binging them right now. So grateful!
Thanks! Guilds are a great approach to take advantage of microclimates. Sun and shade can take years to grow while a structure is quick. Morning + afternoon sun can be good for many plants. Enjoy the journey.
Thank you for this very educational video. I greatly appreciate you for sharing it.
You're welcome, David.
Very similar climate here in upper Northern Nevada. The only predictable is the unpredictable lolol.
Have a great day 👵🏻👩🌾❣️
I grew up in Reno. It's very similar.
@@GardenerScott Winnemucca here .. out 95 by the sand dunes 👍
So helpful. Thank you!
Well I was going to put a like, but I noticed that my like would be the 666th like… hmmm, so I thought I’d pass or come back later. But then I saw that beautiful blue heart in the sky starting at 2:26 in your vid and thought that l could leave a comment instead. . Love the video, my eyes needed opening to micro climates. God bless you and yours… and your plants. In Jesus Name, amen.
I guess my next research will be on microclimate
I live in zone 5a. I planted a number of Blackberries 4 years ago. My problem is in the fall our first freeze comes be for the berries turn black. They are in full sun all day long. I am thinking about creating a " plywood fence" on the north side. Do you think that will prolong their growing season? What color should I paint the fence? I have also thought about adding bricks or homemade wall o waters out around them? I also forget to mention I have black landscape fabric all around them.
A fence, bricks, and water bottles along the fence can help create a good microclimate. A dark color will absorb heat. If you build the fence, consider making it so you can drape plastic over the plants when a frost is forecast; that will give extra protection.
Excellent question. I'm also 5a and we are in low land that gets freezes instead of light frost and I also wondered if a fence would help. But some kind of stone woukd be great.
I appreciate the explanation of microclimates. Is there a way to determine what zone a microclimate would be? I live in 7a and I have a bed on the south side of our house that is surrounded by driveway and sidewalk. I’m hoping to add Mediterranean plantings but don’t want to burn them up in the high summer.
You can make a guess based on observation. Take temperature readings throughout the year, particularly in winter.
I have my fence on the south side with my neighbours which is pretty much in full shade all day. Great place to grow hydrangeas of all sorts.
The issue I have in the same zone and situation is holding heat at night, buildings(wood) don't seem to give heat back over night and we get the coldest temps then obviously. I have found heavy mulching is needed to count on the zone actually going up 1. It's pretty tricky when we get -10 nights.
Ty ❤
I'm going to call you "The microclimate man".
👍
Just like a good teacher!
I'm currently in zone 8b and am hoping that I have a 9a micro-climate. I have a big yellow house and a nice open South facing wall with mulch lined around it and a few plants here and there. I want to plant a Queen Palm which requires a 9a climate. Also, on the East side of my house there is a relatively large lake. I hear that water can hold heat too. What do you think is the warmer out of the two, the South facing wall or the East facing lake? I also wonder if it is better to have a darker house or lighter house? I know lighter houses reflect the heat possibly onto the plant. But I also know that dark houses can hold more heat and release it at night. Which is better? And if it could be a different hardiness zone or if it is just a warm 8b?
My guess would be the south facing wall. Water does retain heat but it can also cool the air nearby. You're right about the color of a house. A lighter house will reflect light and heat to the southern soil, but that is reduced once a plant grows big enough to shade the wall. A dark wall will absorb heat and release some of it at night, but so will the soil and the lighter wall would do a better job of warming the soil.
@@GardenerScott Well that is good. Now that I know it is better to have a lighter house. Do you think it could be a cold 9a or warm 8b?
Sir is it possible grow mango tree in cold weather through to micro climate
It's possible in zone as low as 9, but probably not below that.
If your micro climate is in a greenhouse
I'm trying to grow watermelons and don't really have the heat for it. They will go in black bags next to a southern facing wall with a concrete bottom 🤞
Hello sir i have one doubt sir
in case of your garden shaded portion where plants are not grows this is the microclimate or the side where plant grows is microclimate???
Any place that has more shade than other areas can be considered a microclimate.
@@GardenerScott ok sir i understand , thank you so much sir for guidance 🙏
That's lovely. I also live in 5b. I had a bunch of plants die in the southeast corner last year, possibly of heat and lack of water. I wonder what I could grow there. Would that be a good spot for a small greenhouse during the winter, if it's already at least a 6a?
That might be a good spot for a greenhouse. Or you can look for native plants that like heat and don't need much water.
@@GardenerScott Yes. Thank you. The things that died were supposed to be native drought tolerant plants, so something went wrong.
Is there something I can do about stopping radian heat from fence or retaining wall? Would a shade cloth or something work?
Paint, shade cloth, and tall plants to block it can all work.
Gardener Scott thank you! Great videos! I think shade cloth is the only thing that will work in my space. You’ve help me so much on my path to my dream garden.
@@lauralaspe329 I'm not sure how most people put shade cloth up, but in Texas I put t-posts on the corners, added grommets to the shade cloth, and used a rope to tie it to the posts. If you already have a fence, you could attach one end to the fence and use t-posts on the other side. They wouldn't be very pretty, but they're easy to install, removable, and functional.
I also live in zone 5b on the north shore of lake huron. I dont have access to a south facing side of my building, but have an eastern facing side that gets direct morning light and then light from about 12-1 in the afternoon until sundown. Any recommendations on possible plants that may be rated for zone 6a (or a little higher) which i could possibly plant in my garden? I only have about 183 growing says per year where i am so it cant be anything that requires too long of a season 🤔🤷♂️ @Gardener Scott
It sounds like you're getting enough light to grow most plants. I suggest you check with your local Cooperative Extension office or nursery for the best recommendations. Most of the plants I grow are chosen because they can survive in my dry region. I'm guessing you get more precipitation and would want different plants.
@@GardenerScott awesome, thank you for your input! 😎
Can a shade cloth create a micro climate so you can extend a season for things like lettuce in AZ in spring.
or do plants need some direct sun
Absolutely. I use shade cloth in early summer to help give my cool season plants extra time to mature before bolting. Early spring plants like lettuce don't need as much sun.
Gardener Scott thanks so much. Gonna try it. I have several microclimates in my yard but never really paid much attention til now! But it’s April already. Great video.
EJ Hannon same im in ax also and I have a turtle pond and I wondered why my plants grow twice as fast near there
Many plants prefer to be under shade cloth during the summer. I kept tomatoes going through 100+ F for weeks in Texas. Some plants don't. Squash and zucchini would crawl out from under it even when it was 100+. But most everything else appreciated the shade. And it is pretty easy to put up and down (depending on how you attach it).
What about slopes?
They can create different microclimates.
@@GardenerScott Yes, but could you elaborate on that? Do you have a video about it? If I recall correctly, it is coldest at the bottom because cold drops? So is it warmest at the top or only if the hill is blocking the wind from whatever you've planted?
꧁꧂✾✿❀𓀠 Thanks :)
I would like to ask you about, how much wind effect winter hardiness. A winds chillfactor is about how the winds speed makes us fell cooler, but does that also effect the usda zone number(more wind = lower zone number?)
Good question, Daniel. Believe it or not, wind chill is only applicable to humans. Plants don't feel and aren't affected by wind chill. Plants react to the ambient temperature. The wind may dry them out faster, but it doesn't make them feel colder. When you look at how the USDA determines the Zone numbers, wind chill is not a factor.
@@GardenerScott Thank you for explaining that. That is good to know. I am working on a Tropical garden in denmark, so i need to understand every detail to make it work.
Glad to help. That sounds like a challenging task. Good luck.
I want to create like rain forest.