Thursday, 17 December 2015

Why Cool Season Plants Don't Like Hot Climates


Wouldn’t it be great if all plants could grow in all climates? Like in the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, nature has organized things in a way where certain plants prefer cold weather conditions while others love hot, humid climates. For this reason, heat and humidity can have negative effects on crops that are naturally adapted to cooler climates. It’s a fact that cool season plants don’t like hot climates, but herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme present wise choices for growing in dry season. Keep reading if you want to learn more.



Risks of Growing Cold-Tolerant Plants in the Tropics

Potential problems with growing cold-tolerant plants in hot climates include heat, heavy rains, humidity, poor soil and pests. What can you do? First of all, don’t give up. You may want to consider growing herbs. Let’s say you like Mediterranean herbs. Even though growing these is possible in the tropics, you will have to take some experimenting to see how they will grow in your garden.

Herbs That Grow Well in Tropical Heat

If you want to grow rosemary, sage and thyme at all costs, note that Mediterranean herbs demand extra care in humid areas. For example, thyme does best in full sun and it must have excellent drainage. Rosemary tolerates partial shade, but it also prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Sage requires the same conditions as rosemary and thyme. The same rule stands for all - prevent mildew and rot by allowing good air-circulation. By doing so, you will create a naturalbarricade for pests.

If you are in a rainy all year area, you need tropical herbs that like a lot of water. My proposal is that you give it a go with basil, lemongrassand honey stevia. In a tropical climate you can grow Mediterranean herbs indoors, if you have good sunny windowsills. Or do it hydroponically. Keep in mind that growing herbs in containers is also an option.

If you’re stuck and don’t know how to grow plants in hot weather conditions, let me know! I’ll do my best to help you!


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