Most people live in areas where plants can grow effortlessly.  Plant your seeds – bulbs and add a little water and viola in no time you have a gorgeous garden.  But if you live in a place where the temperature fluctuates from one extreme to the next, it is much harder to grow and keep plants.  It is a big challenge growing many types of plants in your garden.

One way people approach this problem is by pumping their plants up with fertilizers as well as many different chemicals.  This creates a pseudo environment in which the plant(s) may or may not live and creates a dependency on you to survive.  Plus if in my Italian Garden, since I grow vegetables, I don’t like the fact that a lot of what is grown is saturated in chemicals.  I also don’t want my kids to accidently pick and eat something with out washing it first.

One thing that I rely on is that of creating a microclimate for each plant.  In essence it is controlling the amount of shade, wind, sun, and water that each plant will get.  Although it may sound daunting, and can be if you let it, it can be simple if you plan each plant out.  By controlling the conditions you can create an ideal situation in which the plant acts as it would in its’ natural surroundings.  This is achieved through the use of wind barriers, additional water, shade umbrellas and changing the fertilizers for the plant.

Are you ready to create your own microclimate?  We need to make a plan of action for each plant involved.  Start by looking for a shade tree or even a bush that is fast growing for your zone.  Look around your area in which you live to see what “naturally” grows there.  It probably grew on it’s own without and help or care.  This is the type of plant you want.  By growing one type of plant you can facilitate in the growing of one more appealing.

If you have a backyard that is fenced off, then you should have a lot of shade areas to work with.  Start your microclimate by utilizing the shade.  Use your wall – fence or a tall bush with a shade screen to start for your new plant.  Place the plant to where it would receive shade for the first part of the day and then receive shade from something else for the second part of the day.  A wall is very useful as a wind barrier for your delicate plants.

Now that you have your shade, let’s look at another microenvironment.  This is a slow steady process, so don’t try to rush the plant.  Now you can place another plant in the shade of your established plant.  Your next plant does not have to be as hardy as what you just planted.  You can choose one that is adapted for colder regions.  If your new plant requires a lot more water that what you have in your area, look at the installation of a pond or fountain.  The evaporation from this will aid in the growth of your garden.  Remember that the water is going to help your garden not just evaporate.  It is an indirect way of adding water to your plants.  Fountains and ponds are also attractive and great for organizing your garden.
Note that since every one has different ideas and goals, each process cannot be covered.  The process will vary.  You can achieve your microclimate by doing a little homework beforehand on what you want to do in your garden.  Study what each plants needs to thrive and look at how to recreate it in your garden.  Anyone can achieve the environment they want by recreating their own microclimate.