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

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

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

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

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

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

Spring Weather Unkind to Tomatoes Purdue University

Sun scald (Grapes) Michigan State University

Lightning (Grapes) Michigan State University

Wait to prune cold damaged plants Mississippi State University

Blooming Out of Sequence Purdue University

Why Plants Fail to Bloom Purdue University

Stressed Plants May Look Like Early Fall Purdue University

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

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

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