Climate Help: Northern Italy

I'm trying to learn more about my macro-climate.

I live in the north of Italy. I'm originally from Central Illinois. I find that here we have pretty much the same weather. A little less hot in the summer, a little less frigid in the winter (I don't think we never get down below -5 celsius).

According to USDA, were in Zone 8.

It's pretty foggy in the fall and spring.

People have said that our climate is similar to New Zealand. They've gone so far as to increase the Kiwi production as a result. I guess mid-november is kiwi harvesting time.

If this is so, perhaps there are other NZ crops that could be imported into our region.

I know that people a little south of us do heavy hazelnut production. I could probably look into that.

My goal is to create a cool bio-regional polycrop including nut and fruit trees and some perennials.
At least I'll have it in my head when the time comes to implement it.

Thanks,
William

Oh. As for naturally occurring crops, Dog Rose (Rosa canina) is one. I've seen hops growing wild (or at least un-used and un-tamed) and you can find apple trees growing wild, although most people graft fruit trees.
Black berry bushes are common. Probably could do well with berries of all sorts.
-W

if it is zone 8 you should be able to grow anything you could grow when you were in Illinois..I would think..depending on the soil and rainfall.

When did you move?

Hello,
nice to see someone from our area, we have a sinergic farm near trieste...where are you located?

Hi William,
I can surely tell that I live in the North of Italy. But is quite a broad region, can you specify where exactly you live? Eg. if you live in the Po plain, in the Appenines or Alps, if you live close to the sea.
I live in Reggio Emilia and temperatures go below -17 C with 50 to 60 cm of snow. I also work in a farm during the spring/summer months, the farm is in the appenines above 700m above sea level, that makes for a -25C temperature with 2 to 3 m of snow.
So, what I suggest is to look here:
http://www.agraria.org/

and start gather data for your specific microclimate, as Northern Italy has got so many.

I grow to name a few: apples, pears, persimmon, quince, medlar but also pomigranate, figs, mulberries, cherries...

So, I think you can also have a look at http://www.agroforestry.co.uk/seedorders.html, this site gives you enough information to try new plants.
Precipitation is also a big factor, an beware of the diseases of plants. You can import seeds easily from the uk, but not from the us, and I really think you can source plants in Italy easily, especially in nurseries in Tuscany and in nurseries around Garda's Lake.

Good luck!
Elena

I am trying to set up a garden in the pyrenees and am also looking for plants to grow for food. I agree with what someone said about if you are at altitude or not, that makes a big difference in winter lows. i was surprised last spring in what overwintered under the snow. I was going to suggest to ask the locals however i did so and was told nothing that would give food would grow and i was wasting my time. i had a good walk around and noticed some old neglected fruit trees, maybe you could have a scan around and see what's growing ? good luck !

Hello Elena,
How are things at fattoria? That's a nice link you've mentioned. Hopefully we are getting in touch with you during december, Our people who spoke with you said it was good hearing from you.
Keep it up guys!
Group

orto del sole wrote:Hello Elena,
How are things at fattoria? That's a nice link you've mentioned. Hopefully we are getting in touch with you during december, Our people who spoke with you said it was good hearing from you.
Keep it up guys!
Group

we've tried all these trees as well and they grow quite fine also up here in the karst lands, of course in the nearby slovenia, the soil is better and our plants there are mostly old varieties of apple, pear, berries...some pomogranades too. we are working local with fruit and vegetable producers and associations that recently got together for seed saving and brought a variety of local heritage seeds from North Italy, South Austria, France and slovenia. You can find some stuff from the seed exchange on www.cesnet.it