Check out this mini garden in my neighbourhood, at a nearby condo complex. I took this picture on October 16, about one week after Edmonton had a first frost.
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| Sheltered on north, full sun, raised bed, warming blocks, warmth reflecting walls |
Create a warm microclimate to extend the growing season.
Why is this tiny garden still flourishing? It has to do with the microclimate where the garden is situated.
This tiny garden sits in a sunny and sheltered spot. It's about 15'x8' and is bordered and sheltered on the north by the condo. Cold northern winds do not cool this garden. It's also sheltered a few feet out on the east and west sides by condo walls and cement steps. Warmth is held in by the sheltering walls.
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| Tomatoes still ripening |
It has almost full southern sun, essential for good growth. The garden earth absorbs the warmth from the sun during the day and radiates it at night. What else? The garden is planted in a deep raised bed, and raised beds absorb heat and, therefore,have warmer soil. The garden is fronted by three rows of cement blocks. These absorb heat in the day and release the heat at night. Also the condo itself is a light cream colour, and this reflects some light and warmth back onto the garden bed. The lush greenery of the garden keeps in some warmth at night too, much like an atmospheric cover of clouds traps in warm thermal air at night.
All of these things combine to create warmth at night in the garden, and extend the growing season. For cold climate gardeners, we are offered some clues on how to extend our growing season in northern cities like Edmonton. Just common sense, really.
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| A little snow cover |