Garden Guy column: Microclimates and frost protection
As you plan and buy plants for spring planting, consider microclimates which can broaden your plant choice as well as protect plants.
A microclimate is a localized set of climate variables that differ from the normal climate in the larger area around it. For example, west and south facing brick walls are warmer in winter than others because the brick absorbs more heat to radiate out when it gets cooler. This can allow a plant to survive where it would not in another area.
Other warm microclimates are created by masonry walls, walks, patios, or anything that will retain heat which keeps the area near it warmer. If the area also has wind protection, it will stay warmer longer.
Cool microclimates can be created by shade provided by structures, trees, or shrubs. In our area plants often not only need the cooler temperature, but also protection from intense afternoon sun. A microclimate can do this.
Placing plants susceptible to too much moisture on small hills or other situations with good drainage, thus avoiding low areas that collect water, are ways to mitigate problems associated with too much moisture. Sometimes all that is necessary is to plant slightly higher than the surrounding soil level.
Putting plants in containers that can be moved when necessary is yet another way to use microclimates. Look around your property and try plants in different areas. You may find that you can grow something that might not otherwise be successful here.
If you have succumbed to the allure of planting warm season plants too early as we now face normal, cold temperatures, using microclimates can be of help. If your plants are in containers, you may need only to move the container to a suitable microclimate temporarily. If you planted it in a microclimate, you may not need much, if any, further protection.
But if these are not suitable solutions, there are other ways to deal with the cold weather that is certain to come, perhaps as late as early May. Temporarily covering the plants with cloth, plastic, newspaper, straw, or other such coverings before the frost occurs can provide varying amounts of added warmth. All these materials can add several degrees of protection depending on how thickly they are used or what type of cloth material is used.
There are several types of row covers for garden use, some heavier and some not so heavy. I have two very large painter’s tarps that I have used extensively. The only concern with these is that the plants must be protected from the weight of the tarps. This is easily accomplished by using something such as stacked bricks, firewood, or short pieces of rebar to hold the tarp above the plants.
Boxes and inverted pails or garden pots can also be used for individual or small groups of plants. Regardless of what is used, it must be anchored to remain in place and trap the heat released from the soil. Remove all, especially plastic which can cook plants, when danger has past.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Garden Guy column: Microclimates and frost protection
