How do I apply zone and month instructions to my local weather

Posts

• Nollie Posts: 7,529

  May 2020

  I find the most useful zoning systems are the US systems. There are two. The USDA hardiness zones are indicative of which plants survive which winter low temperatures- most of North Africa is, naturally, at the milder end, between zones 9-11 so can grow more tender plants. Although used for cold, not heat, is it indicative as zone 10 is unlikely to have cold winters and more likely to have hot summers, but there are localised differences. I am officially zone 8b-9 but in my mountain climate it feels more like 7. Plus my summers are much hotter than most zones 8-9. There is also the AHS heat tolerance system, depending on how many days a year the temps are 30c+ - less established but useful to look up plant tolerance to heat.

  
  

  Generally speaking I work to a planting schedule around a month in advance of the UK - this seems to work for me based on experience of my climate. 

  
  

  Your main challenge will be shading young seedlings from heat, ensuring good airflow and watering more than most.
  
  This explains the US systems pretty well, I use this site a lot to look up heat tolerances of various plants: https://www.gardenia.net/guide/plant-hardiness-heat-tolerance-and-climate-zones

  
  

  Hope that helps.
  
  

  Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.

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• injyelkashef Posts: 2

  May 2020

  Yes, it does. Thank you!

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• fidgetbones Posts: 17,618

  May 2020

  I think you are more likely to need a shade house rather than a greenhouse. A polytunnel frame, covered in fine green netting.
  

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