Knowing your micro climates is important because you need to know how much sun your your garden is getting. In other words, the sun comes up in the east and makes its way to the west. The garden that you plant around your property should take into consideration the movement of the sun.
Micro Climates Due to the Sun
Do your research and jot down how much sunlight each area gets.
Southern Exposure (Full sun)
What to plant?
- Raspberries
- Grapes
- Beans
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Eggplant
- Melon
- Squash
- Sweet Potatoes
- Peppers
- Corn
Eastern Exposure (Morning sun)
What to plant?
- Sage
- Mint
- Chives
- Parsley
- Lemon Balm
- Dahlias
- Hydrangeas
- Himalayan Blue Poppy
- Jacobs Ladder
- Oak Leaf
- Astilbe
- Irises
- Lilies
- Kale
- Chard
- Lettuce
- Arugula
- Carrots
- Celery
- String Beans
Northern Exposure (Weak sun – full shade) (Plants that like cooler sun)
What can you plant?
- Hostas
- Blackberries (Only certain varieties)
Western Exposure (Full hot sun in afternoon – shade)
What can you plant?
- Herbs (Basil)
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Tulips
- Jasmine
- Shasta Daisies
- Roses
- Daffodils
Vegetable Garden (Southern and Western Exposure)
Micro Climates Due to Structures
Natural Slopes
- Could be a spot where you would put raised beds
Windy
- You might plant some trees
Standing water
- Where is the water coming from?
- Take note of standing water
House
- Wind break for young vegetables
Color of your planter
- If you have a black planter, it might retain heat.
Crushed Stone
- Crushed stone can heat up the micro-climates so that your plants get more heat
Cement
- Cement grabs the heat, so heat loving plants might do better around it.
Take note of your plants at the end of the season and move them in the fall or early spring, so that things are flourishing in their spot.
Ways to Notice Your Micro-Climates
- Pay attention to your snow. If snow melts earlier, that place has more sun.
Useful Websites
- This Growing Guide has a lot of information on each crop.
Micro Climates at Your House
When you plan out your garden, you need to think about your micro climates at your house. Furthermore, after each gardening season, you need to reassess how each plant did in its micro climate. Then, you need to adjust the plants. Heat, sun, wind and water drainage are the factors that you are taking into consideration. I hope this guide to micro climates at your house was helpful.
I am learning this from Melissa K. Noris’s class on Micro Climates.
