Microclimate Enlightenment

I want to share that I am in the Colorado Gardener Certificate program!  I am so excited to be learning more about gardening and  this education will translate to urban farming.  Every time I sit in class, I pinch myself! I am so happy and just couldn’t be more blessed to be in this program.  Plus, I am around gardening geeks like me all with different perspectives, different gardens, and different needs.   The geeking out that occurs during breaks is hysterical because we all can’t stop talking and learning from each other!

I have started planning my garden, but kept running into the road blocks on “what do I do” with the different temperatures I experience.   The roof is flaming hot in July, the balcony seems to be the perfect temperature and the front door entrance is always cool and shady.   The spinning process in my head…. 

“The roof, how do I create shade.  I could do nursery fabric, but how do I install it with out cracking the stucco?”

 “Or, do I create a big metal tree like Jamie Durie to create some shade?”

 “Or do I plan the garden around cucumber trellis’s (A Frames) to create shade?“

“Or do pop up covers? “

“Or do I…”

Ahhhhh, the vicious circle.  Garden planning should be fun, not banging my head against the wall, avoiding the task sort of experience.   

My first class gave me the answer, microclimates.  As Coloradoans we have multiple climates in this state from the plains where I grew up to the majestic Rocky Mountains.  Obviously it is necessary to garden differently in those areas.   This is nothing new to gardeners all over the country, but for me it was a huge lightbulb!  HUGE…  did I say HUGE?  My world turned on its head, I was gardening for the wrong zone on my roof, probably the right zone on my balcony (Zone 5) and I have enough education to explore the area by our front door.

The lesson learned with USDA Hardiness Zones are guidelines, not rules.  Look at the other factors affecting the area that you are gardening in (i.e. sun exposure, wind, reflective surfaces, next to an open body of water, color of the wall your garden is next to, etc).    I am exploring doing Zone 6 or 7 on the roof, 4 at the front door, and then keeping to Zone 5 on the balcony.

Now on to planning!!  OHHHH what to do…