What Is The Characteristic of a Microclimate?
A microclimate is a small area within a climate zone where the climate is slightly different from the zones predictions. A good example of a microclimate that is fairly large would be a valley where cold air settles. The temperature may be several degrees cooler than your zone maps indicate. Large bodies of water or urban area temperatures may also provide causes of a microclimate to form. In your home garden, buildings, fences, ponds and patios all contribute to what is the characteristic to microclimate. For a basic example of a microclimate in your yard, think of moisture and shade. Using just these two factors can show you how to make a microclimate work in your garden. The following are each an example of a microclimate. • Dry soil/lots of sun: Plant draught tolerant plants. Is it a good spot for that Mediterranean garden you’ve been thinking about? • Dry soil/Shade: A difficult combination often found under large trees, these areas may be cooler than the surrounding areas making