Climate Zones.
Jamie (Fri, 28 Oct 2005 00:49:02 PDT)
Ahh, Roger,
hard but true words! We are always seeking a simple solution to the
complexities of life. I didn't realize that the Arnold Arboretum (a truly
wonderful place to visit!) was behind the original Zones.
Another factor we often forget, along with percipitation, is the strength of
the sun. As far north as I garden, despite being a technical Zone 8, much
like Vancouver, we are at the latitude of Calgary! Due to the mild climate,
we only have about 2 weeks of hard frost, somethimes less, very wet Winters
and very dark ones as well! Many South Africans grow happily, but do not
bloom due to the lack of sun energy.
In the end, Zones are nothing but a guideline and one must not only know his
local conditions, but understand them as well!
Jamie Vande
Cologne
Germany
where the six-pack never caught on (we buy it by the 24 bottle case!)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rodger Whitlock" <totototo@telus.net>
To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Friday, October 28, 2005 7:05 AM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Climate Zones.
On 27 Oct 05 at 17:23, Lee Poulsen wrote:
...I have to hand it to the USDA for thinking of the single
best parameter to use in creating the first Zone map and then
making the map and seeing what the result was.
The USDA zones were devised strictly, solely to gauge
hardiness of woody material: trees and shrubs. That's all. They
simply aren't applicable to other categories. IIRC, they were
invented at the Arnold Arboretum. Presumably they work not too
badly for their intended purpose -- in eastern North America,
that is!
In particular, the hardiness of bulbs and perennials depends
on many other factors than just winter lows.
And the hardiness zones are of very dubious worth in other
parts of the planet. They only keep going because Joe Sixpack
likes things reduced to a single number, no matter how
misleading it may be.
--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate
on beautiful Vancouver Island
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