The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Weather and Climate

This page is intended to provide information about the effects of weather and climate on plants and gardening, particularly conditions similar to those experienced in Queensland.

Drought is a major issue in many parts of the country, but there are more factors to consider than just soil moisture, Even if you can irrigate, you may have to contend with high temperatures, intense sunlight (lack of cloud cover), lack of humidity and desiccating winds. This might effect the manner in which you grow your plants, and choice of species. Of course, if you have to cope with these factors AND lack of water, the problems are compounded.

News

Seed development sensitive to temperature
Researchers have been studying the effects of elevated temperature on yield of several seed-bearing crop plants. They discovered that seed development is more sensitive than vegetative growth. This means that a plant might grow to its normal size yet fail to set seed adequately. Read more from the Agricultural Research Service here: High Temperatures Could Leave Seed Crops Sterile

More Links

Bureau of Meteorology Australia

Australian climates at the Bureau of Meteorology website offers climate maps of Australia based on temperatue/humidity, seasonal rainfal and the Koppen classification system

Guide to Austalian Climate Zones and US equivalents by Australian National Botanic Garden

Microenvironments (Part 1) The Overstory, Agroforestry ejournal

Microenvironments (Part 2) The Overstory, Agroforestry ejournal

Gardening easy in the South? Not so much. Discusses gardening in the southern USA versus the north, providing some insights into the difficulties plants (especially temperate species) face in hot wet climates generally

Protecting Plants From Summer's Heat Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona

Shade - A Precious Commodity for Desert Gardens - Landscapes Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona (addresses some of the issues with growing plants in intense sunlight environment)

With Hot Weather Comes Garden Woes Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona

Hot Weather Tough on Plants and Gardeners

High August heat stresses plants Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Record Temps Require Rapid Response to Watering Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona

Zonal Geranium - Plant of the Week (interesting note about effects of excessive heat) University of Arkansas

Spring Weather Unkind to Tomatoes Purdue University

The Myth of Hot-Weather Watering Does watering plants in the hot sun scorch their leaves? Washington State University (PDF)

Sun scald (Grapes) Michigan State University

Do your plants suffer from summer sunburn? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

What is humidity? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Stressed Plants May Look Like Early Fall Purdue University

Lightning (Grapes) Michigan State University

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! University of Florida

Wait to prune cold damaged plants Mississippi State University

Backyard Frost Protection California Rare Fruit Growers

Dealing with Frost Damage University of Florida

What are short day and long day plants? Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Flowers or no flowers - may depend on the light University of Illinois

The Myth of Night Light Can street lights and other sources of artificial light affect plants other than poinsettias? Washington State University (PDF)

Blooming Out of Sequence Purdue University

Why Plants Fail to Bloom Purdue University

Let there be light! The importance of light to apartment gardeners Green Culture Singapore

Windbreaks Increasing Crop Growth on the Atherton Tablelands Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation

You might find additional information about the effects of weather and climate on particular plants by going to the page on this website dealing with that group. Start here: Plants

Colored Mulch for the Home Vegetable Garden Enhancing vegetable crops with plastic films that selectively reflect/transmit certain wavelengths of light (weather, vegetables)