Exploit Microclimates

To understand microclimates a little better, let's look at a typical house and yard, as illustrated. The north side of the house is shady from mid-morning through the end of the day. The east side receives morning sun, but not direct sun in the afternoon. The south side's yard receives full sun all day long. And the west side of the house doesn't get full sun until mid-day, but then bakes until dusk. Each side of the house has a different set of growing conditions and is a distinct microclimate. Additional landscaping will create even more microclimates. A white painted fence along the yard, a pond, trees, and bushes will produce different growing conditions for plants near them. Why should the cash-conscious gardener care about microclimates? Because if you plant things where they don't like to grow, it's a waste of money, time, and effort. Plants all have their own unique growing requirements. Some plants thrive in shade, while others falter there for lack of sunlight. When assessing your site, note your microclimates. They will help you decide what plants to grow and where to put them.