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Early Spring Flowers
Thu May 12, 2005
Listen in RealAudio 
Have you ever noticed that the first spring flowers emerge in one particular area of the garden, often blooming before the snow melts? The reason may be your microclimate. Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton and you are listening to The Weather Notebook.
A "microclimate" is basically the weather conditions of a small area, such as a backyard, park, or garden. Microclimates can vary over short distances due to the presence of rocks, trees, or walls, factors which alter the wind, moisture, temperature and the absorption of sunlight. For example, on the southern side of a building, the ground receives more warming sunlight than the shady north side. Direct sunlight plus its reflection off the building often keeps the earth close to it warm and free of snow.
Generally, building materials like rock, brick, wood, or concrete collect and hold the solar heat, releasing it slowly during the night. This keeps minimum temperatures in an acceptable range while, only a few feet away, temperatures fall too low for sprouts to survive in the early spring.
Not only is the temperature of the soil in that sunny patch warmer than more shaded areas, it is usually drier as well not totally dry, but not saturated, either. Warm soil, strong sunlight and the right moisture content provide good conditions for young house hugging plants to thrive.
If you can better understand your garden's microclimate, you might be able to optimize your planting location and schedule, and be the first to enjoy those early spring flowers in your neighborhood.
Thanks to contributing writer, meteorologist Keith Heidorn. The Weather Notebook is a production of the Mount Washington Observatory. Visit us on the web at www.weathernotebook.org. Support for our show comes from Subaru of America and the National Science Foundation.
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