Creating Microclimates to Facilitate Growth
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Creating Microclimates to Facilitate Growth
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.
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