Mild Microclimates on Salt Spring Island

You will always know when you are in one of our Island's mildest growing areas by looking at what grows there long term. This is one such area. The snow is gone, what little they had. Nov. 27, 2010

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Hardy Palms
• Gardens
• Tropicals

[russianintrigue]

I imagine this spot gets a good deal of summer warmth despite its proximity to the ocean. All that stone do a great job absorbing and holding on to heat. It's a beautiful spot.

[BananaJSSI]

@russianintrigue It is true. This is a sw west facing property so it really does warm up. Bumper crops of Figs on that tree each Summer. I have more vids of that place on my other channel.

[russianintrigue]

Is this a long term zone 9a? This location and its direction to the sun and topography definitely help on the coldest days. The plants look very happy.

[BananaJSSI]

@russianintrigue When the zone map lists zone 9 areas in the Southern Gulf Islands, this is as close as you'll get. Even on the coldest sunny winter days it warms up.

[BananaJSSI]

@bipopalula There are many on our island. When you get anywhere near the ocean the frost free growing season is very long making it perfect for all sorts of palms and exotics to grow. The minimum temps. never get so cold even on the coldest winter days. It is very pricey to live there and the land taxes are very high as well

[bipopalula]

@BananaJSSI I can imagine, that these warm und not only for gardeners in canada immensely interesting places are very expensive. only people like you, with such a interest in exotic gardening deserve it! envy you a bit. a continental austrian gardener.

[BananaJSSI]

@MrFrozenCanuck It's all to do with Topography on our rock. Just a two minute drive from where I shot this vid the ground is covered in snow. The snowfall ranged from 2" inches up to 2'ft in this recent cold spell. There are many areas on our island like what you see in this video. Some beautiful microclimates along the very south end as well. Long frost free season and very little in the way of snow. My area is good too, but have to spend mega bucks to live in the best growing areas here.

[BananaJSSI]

@annemaree Thanks

[annemaree]

Thankyou Joe for another great share! you sure know all your plants and trees!

[MrFrozenCanuck]

@BananaJSSI We got nothing but 30 minutes north of us there was all kinds of snow and ice, we had several fatal car crashes up there.