Creating Micro-climate

16 years ago

In the past I have attempted to take advantage of micro-climate areas around my property for my gardens because in Oklahoma we have such a volatile climate of temperature highs and lows. But this year I think I may be going over the edge. So I thought I would share what I planned to do with you guys to laugh at or ponder......

As many of you may have followed, I am near the completion of a pretty major makeover at our place including setting up several new conifer beds. Not many conifers love our climate so I've been getting pretty creative on placements, shadows, etc to try and make it as successful as I can. But then when I was finishing up some installs on the new big back patio area we built I thought what if what I'm doing here might help around the garden.

I was installing our new misting system all along the porch edge and I thought when aa real heat wave is coming, why can't I put up some temporary metal poles rambling around my conifer beds and then run some of the flexible mist tubing around those posts. I can set them all on a timer that would turn the water on at say 2-3:00 PM each day and off around 5-6:00 PM each day, cooling the air during those peak heat and sun periods of the day.

It's proven especially on high pressure misters the mist is so fine they reduce the immediate atmosphere around them by a minimum of 10-25 degrees. And on high pressure systems, the mist is so fine it also dries on contact, thereby eleminating any potential fears of molds or overwatering. The misting systems are getting pretty reasonable on costs and they can be put up and taken down very simply. Considering what I feel I will value my garden at upon completion, in my mind it will be a small investment if it helps the conifers to grow and adapt here.

Now I'm not saying I think I can put a young yellow pushing tree directly in 105 degree sun and not fry it. But if I make the right placements, and help relieve some of the temperature stress during the peak times, I think I can greatly increase my odds of some questionable plants making it here.

So what do you think.....crazy or what.

mark

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Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
you said: But this year I think I may be going over the edge.

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and that is different than last year.. HOW????

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i THOUGHT that one of the problems in warmer climes.. having never lived in one.. is ambient humidity ... it seems that your idea would raise ambient humidity.. regardless of whether the mist ever touches the plant ...

i will leave that thought to others with more knowledge .. i just had to get the joke in ... lol

ken
gardener365
16 years ago
Mark, you could build lattice structures . . . I think that's your best bet. Here is a Hosta Garden that was made possible:
Chub Harper Garden - formerly a conifer garden.
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Dax
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scotjute Z8
16 years ago
My general "philosophy" is that "pampering" ends at year 2 after transplanting. Either it makes it on its own by then or nature can take its course. I do try to locate species where local conditions are somewhat favorable to their survival, as in trees that need wetter conditions located in low areas, perhaps one that is more sensitive to heat in afternoon shade, etc.
Misting systems for temperature reduction for a tree seems a bit much to me.
barbaraincalif
16 years ago
The misters sound like a great idea IF you live in a low humidity area. I've considered doing the same here in California where summer afternoon humidity is rarely above 30%.
My past year in the conifer garden has been to simply see what survives in our dry heat, paying close attention to where the plant is located. Except for all but the toughest, afternoon shade is a must; the best are growing under deciduous trees on the north-east side. Dax's idea of planting under shapely shade structures would work too, but you'd still have to be careful with placement under them...at least here I would!

Barbara
gardener365
16 years ago
Yes, you might be going overboard no matter how you look at it. You should consult someone locally with knowledge before you build the great bonanza of structures and cooling systems. Hell, you can probably grow most of the things on your list w/o anything. You not in the Las Vegas desert, similary like Barb is!

Dax