Re: Sunset Zones
Tim, How does this zone sound:
"Zone 17:
The climate in this zone features cool, wet, almost frostless winters and cool
summers with frequent fog or wind. On most days and in most places, the fog
tends to come in high and fast, creating a cooling and humidifying blanket
between the sun and the earth, reducing the intensity of the light and sunshine.
Some heat-loving plants (citrus, hibiscus, gardenia) don't get enough heat to
fruit or flower reliably.
In a 20-year period, the lowest winter temperatures in zone 17 ranged from 3C to
-5C. The lowest temperatures on record at the various stations range from -1C to
-7C. Of further interest in this heat-starved climate are the highs of summer,
normally in the 15C to 24C range. The average highest temperature of 12 weather
stations in zone 17 is only 36C. In all the other Northern California climate
zones, average highest temperatures on record are in the 40C to 47C range.
Zone 17's climate is dominated by the ocean about 98% of the time. You can see
the salt water from most areas in zone 17, such as Pacific Grove, where the
mounding aloes and agaves with tall flower spikes bloom at the water's edge.
This climate also favors fuchsias and commercially grown artichokes, Brussels
sprouts, and Easter lilies."
If you substitute "masses of rain and wind" for "frequent fog or wind" it sounds close.
