Design with Micro-Climates

Micro-climate is the horizontal topography we design.

To design micro-climates we need to analyze sectors, develop skills in observation, and experiment to develop our knowledge and understanding.

To see micro-climates we need to observe the landscape:

Checking for temperature differences
Reading plant indicators for hot and wet spots (specific plants prefer different microclimates)
Observing at sensitive times of the year – fall, spring, early morning, late afternoon

The micro-climatic factors you can change:

Temperature and temperature range
Humidity and humidity range
Wind speeds and direction
Moisture ranges

Factors affecting Micro-climate

Topography

Aspect (most important in edge climates, less important in cloudy climates; early morning sun is solar, fast warming, late afternoon is hotter and drier – use for late ripening fruits )
Slope (flatten or increase slope by tree size plantings; frost dams behind trees on a slope – to remove the pocket cut the trees)
Cold air drainage
Winds (winds accelerate in gaps and up slopes)
Elevation

Vegetation

Forests (trees are thermal sinks and hold off frost effects; also cool air and increase moisture; moisture is concentrated at the roots and dripline)

· Clearing and thinning

Windbreaks (deflect harsh winds and funnel favorable winds; should be perpendicular to the prevailing winds; use multirows of different species with 50% permeability. Don’t want to create gaps; 1 or 2 rows of evergreens; for household distance of windbreak take height * 10 and windbreaks should be 10* the height apart in rows – if 50’ tree than 500’ apart; multiple rows and crenallated windbreaks to increase edge)
Vegetation edge

Soil & Mulch & Pavement

Water (creates heat sinks; moderates temperature and humidity)

Human Structures

Walls (rough, smooth, light, dark all effect microclimate)
Trellises
Glass houses
Stones (warm areas – herbal spirals)
Plant potatoes in tires; put in mulch, stack hay; add tire and harvest; hay bales are a sun trap.

In many extreme environments the historical ecological conditions have been disturbed to the point that small trees and shrubs cannot survive and reestablish a forest ecology. Nurse plants are not present to protect support the seedling trees. Using an artificial micro-climate, such as a geodesic dome with shade cloth allows for small plants to establish in otherwise harsh conditions. Shade cloth is used to mimic dappled shade. The dome also collects condensation to water the plants; while deterring herbivores from damaging the young plants.. Once the canopy of trees is established the dome can be moved to a new location.

Maximize the warming effect of solar radiation in winter months and maximize shade in summer months

Utilize deciduous trees for shade in summer and sun in winter
Orient living spaces to the south for winter warmth
Design building overhands to shield the high summer sun and expose the area to the lower winter sun

Reduce the impact of winter winds but maximize summer breezes

Steeply pitched roofs on the windward side deflect wind and reduce the roof area effected by winds
Blank walls, garages or storage uses on the northern exposures
Protect north entrances with earth mounds, evergreens and walls or fences
Allow for natural ventilation with prevailing summer breezes

In permaculture we continually use and create different micro-climates to extend the range of plant species. Most plant species prefer a certain micro-climate

Plants prefer cold – brassicas, apples, stonefruit
Plants prefer hot – tomatoes, kiwi
Plants prefer wet – blueberries, celery
Plants prefer dry – herbs