Very Good Gardening at Smallfields

Post 28: Climate and Zone

Living in central Maryland, we are right on the line between zones 6b and 7a.

We get all 4 seasons. Although this Spring felt awfully short.

Our typical last frost is supposed to be around May 15th and our first frost around October 15th.

I have found through my experience that my little plot of land functions more as a zone 7a but each area of my yard has it’s own micro-climate.

Main Garden

The main garden is on a higher elevation then the rest of our yard.

It rarely gets a frost when temps reach the low to mid 30s.

The pepper field is a different story.

Pepper Field

The pepper field is in a different spot in our yard.

Main Garden to Pepper Field

The pepper field is much more exposed to wind and sun and functions as it’s own completely different micro-climate.

In fact, the pepper field is at such a slant in the yard, that sometimes, beds will get a frost at the bottom of the garden but won’t at the top.

Pic of Pepper Field taken today

I feel really lucky that I have so many choices on where I can plant certain fruits and veggies depending on their needs.

I have a theory that my strawberries really like the main garden. I think they especially like the corner they are in because it always gets morning shade and seems to stay moist longer than my other beds.

Strawberry Patch

Where as the peppers really like the pepper field because it gets direct sun from 7:30am until sunset.

Orange Blaze Pepper

Cool weather crops like cabbage like the Main Garden because they can get a little more shade as well to keep them a little cooler.

Cabbage (and a whole lot of volunteer carrots)

It’s exciting to me that I am able to have so many choices when planning out my garden from year to year.

By the way, our last frost this year was on April 27th. That makes me feel confident in my assessment of saying we are in zone 7a.

More harvest pics coming next week!

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