Some
people think I’m crazy when I mention the importance of microclimates in
landscapes. Others may be unsure about what they are, how to establish these
microclimates and if they’re worth the expense. It’s really whether you value
the selection, appearance and quality of plants growing in your landscape.
people think I’m crazy when I mention the importance of microclimates in
landscapes. Others may be unsure about what they are, how to establish these
microclimates and if they’re worth the expense. It’s really whether you value
the selection, appearance and quality of plants growing in your landscape.
 |
| This microclimate was established next to a hospital on Maryland Parkway in Las Vegas. It is sunken, protected from Maryland Parkway traffic on the left and its noise. It also gets several hours of midday sun and the smaller plants and the ground protected from late afternoon sun from the West (left). This makes an area for employees where there is less noise and cooler. |
Microclimates
affect how plants grow and appear in the desert, their quality if you’re
talking about vegetables growing in raised beds or fruit on fruit trees and how
comfortable we are when enjoying a beverage or meal outside. Landscape
microclimates change something about the outside: the air temperature, wind
speed, humidity, noise level or may address privacy issues. All these change
the microclimate in an otherwise open landscape.
affect how plants grow and appear in the desert, their quality if you’re
talking about vegetables growing in raised beds or fruit on fruit trees and how
comfortable we are when enjoying a beverage or meal outside. Landscape
microclimates change something about the outside: the air temperature, wind
speed, humidity, noise level or may address privacy issues. All these change
the microclimate in an otherwise open landscape.
 |
| Some construction going on so the yellow cord is there but plants that might normally struggle in rock due to the heat and intense sunlight perform better with a break due to a microclimate. |
A recent
stroll through a commercial property on Maryland Parkway reminded me how
important these changes can be for plants and for us. A section of this
commercial property lowered the strolling and sitting area below this north to
south running street. This change provided morning and afternoon shade, change
the direction of the wind and lowered wind speed and reduced the noise level
from passing traffic 20 feet away.
stroll through a commercial property on Maryland Parkway reminded me how
important these changes can be for plants and for us. A section of this
commercial property lowered the strolling and sitting area below this north to
south running street. This change provided morning and afternoon shade, change
the direction of the wind and lowered wind speed and reduced the noise level
from passing traffic 20 feet away.
 |
| Plants like this Japanese privet perform better where they have a break from the intense desert environment. |
Here I
found outside sitting areas enjoyed by employees on a hot morning. I found plants
thriving, compared to their struggling counterparts 50 and 75 feet away. A
simple lowering of the landscape elevation provided “comfort” for plants and
humans alike without changes to the soil or irrigation different from the rest
of the landscape.
found outside sitting areas enjoyed by employees on a hot morning. I found plants
thriving, compared to their struggling counterparts 50 and 75 feet away. A
simple lowering of the landscape elevation provided “comfort” for plants and
humans alike without changes to the soil or irrigation different from the rest
of the landscape.
 |
| Plants like this daylily planted in rock looks much better than its counterpart planted along the street. |
Be Creative with Microclimates at Home
Changing the landscape elevation is one way to address problem areas. Other
methods include trellising, building wind screens or diversions, use of
gazebos, building partial walls, using manufactured screening, paint and other
methods that provide a microclimate that improves the quality of plant growth
and the outside living area. Remember that cement and steel are more durable
surfaces than wood in the desert.
methods include trellising, building wind screens or diversions, use of
gazebos, building partial walls, using manufactured screening, paint and other
methods that provide a microclimate that improves the quality of plant growth
and the outside living area. Remember that cement and steel are more durable
surfaces than wood in the desert.
I will
talk more about this subject on my podcast.
talk more about this subject on my podcast.
nice