Microclimates in Backyard!

[CascadiaPalms]

Does anyone have these, can you describe?

I was stunned by the "difference" in temperature by putting three different weather sensors in my backyard.  Long story short, my property is 0.25 acres, yard is roughly half of that.

This could really make a difference in regards to a palm needing certain warmth/cool.

The three sensors would typically read like this.  These would be the max temperatures of the day.

Local temperature on weather app : 83 F

Sensor 1 (In the shade entire day, surrounded by trees): 75 F

Sensor 2 (on back patio concrete, six feet off the ground in shade behind pole): 95 F

Sensor 3 (Inside the yard shed on the wall, but yard shed facing the sun): 105 F

[Jack Lord]

I am in Zone 7A, but I do have an area I think is probably 8A. It is south facing with the presence of a brick chimney, brick siding, and a rock wall. I have sucessfully  grown several Sabal Minors, but the one there is much larger than the others. The same for the Needle Palms. But what really sets it apart is that I have a pretty good Pittosporum Tobira growing there while others did not make it elsewhere.

I have not taken any measurements, but the evidence indicates it is warmer.

 

[CascadiaPalms]

20 minutes ago, Jack Lord said:

I am in Zone 7A, but I do have an area I think is probably 8A. It is south facing with the presence of a brick chimney, brick siding, and a rock wall. I have sucessfully  grown several Sabal Minors, but the one there is much larger than the others. The same for the Needle Palms. But what really sets it apart is that I have a pretty good Pittosporum Tobira growing there while others did not make it elsewhere.

I have not taken any measurements, but the evidence indicates it is warmer.

 

yup get some sensors and check it out.  The biggest factor is the sun (even in winter) as it heats up the surfaces around that store the heat and can drastically change the temperature, which the palms WILL feel unlike in wind chill or heat index (which is geared toward humans).