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Tyler Ludens
Post     Subject: Re: Microclimates: Growing plants rated for COLDER zones?

On a slope, cold air gets trapped by anything vertical in its way as it falls down the slope.  Walls, hedges, etc crossing the slope will trap cold air on the uphill side and make a little cold spot.  If this spot is also shaded then it should stay extra cold.
davidpitman Hatfield
Post     Subject: Microclimates: Growing plants rated for COLDER zones?

I'm aware of some techniques for creating a warmer microclimate, but are there strategies for creating cooler microclimates? I'm some property to implement a rolling permaculture... 400+ acres avaiable (some is woodland), elevation varies between 600'-1200'. The property is located in a southwest opening valley (property includes majority of the valley, including part of a bluff on top of the mountain.) Located in the southwestern tip of the Cumberland Plateau in N Alabama..

I am supposing that higher elevations alone create a cooler microclimate (the mountain gets snow more often than in the valley, duh.) But other than  utilizing this, along with shade traps, what other tactics might there be?

I don't necessarily have any plants in mind, more interested in experimenting (the land's available, why not?).


thanks,
david