Re: Explaining ones local climate
Tim Longville wrote:
>
>
> Re use of Zones in signatures. I agree that SOMEthing is useful but
> the problem of the limited applicability of the US zonal system to
> non-US areas has, I think, been raised here before.
>
> For example, my own UK west coast climate is, in terms of winter lows,
> Zone 8b or 9 (over the last 3 winters, nudging towards Z10, indeed) -
> but of course my summer temps. are nothing like those of the US so
> plants don't always, alas, behave in a Zone 10, 9 or even 8 way!
>
> I won't even START on the complicating factor of soil....!
>
Tim
> Solway Coast, Cumbria, UK
> Temps: min circa -3C, max circa 28C
> Soil: acid, moisture-retentive
> Year-round rain
> Year-round wind, with frequent spring and autumn salt-laden gales
>
Tim
Apart from the fact we only get salt in our gales very rarely indeed and
that we are almost sure of a couple of dry months after midsummer, your
home climate and ours are virtually twins. Mind you, its rare for the
mercury to hit 28 here, more commonly it would stop short at about 26.
I find this a very easy climate to live with, but it does limit somewhat
the plants one can grow, being too cool in the summer for the warm
temperates and sub- tropicals and too warm and wet in winter for the
alpines. One thing I have found it bang-on for though is for many Medit.
bulbs including daffs of the hoop petticoat group, many Fritallarias and
most of the miniature Cyclamen species, which I understand are iffy (esp
the daffs) in many parts of England. Most South African bulbs also grow
like weeds (some too much like weeds for my liking!)
Cheers
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata,
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
