Microclimates are one the most valuable Permaculture design tools. They enable us to boost potential of a landscape, reduce our need for energy input, and increase resilience.
In a recent design for a temperate region, our design had keyhole gardens, suntrap orchard, windbreaks, structures, waterways and ponds for thermal mass, increased humidity via strategically placed, manure filled drains, and frost sinks. The design works with the sectors of the site and built diversity into the system for long term resilience.
Microclimates
Microclimates are small pockets of unique climate. These pockets usually occur due to the shape of the land and vegetation. The 6 main influencing factors that influence a microclimate are Sunlight, Wind, Humidity, Thermal Mass, Frost, and Surrounding Climate. The session also shows how to create and illustrate microclimates in your design.
Designing with microclimates helps you boost your use of natural energies to optimise comfort and production. You can design to work with nature to create the best living space. And best of all, your living space will have more natural light and warmth.
Using Free Energy Sources
Energy sources and influences create microclimates, we break this down for you. There are key natural energy factors that influence a microclimate. This course explores each factor. Valuing and using sunlight is vital. This course shows your how to create a suntrap. Next up we discover how to harness warmth and store it in different types of thermal mass. Next we use or diffuse wind. Cool elements such as winter wind and frost are also addressed. Finally, we look at lesser known factors such as altitude and geo-thermal influences.
You can create a range of microclimates in your own space: indoors and out. The simple action of redesign improves your lifestyle and growing potential.
Once you know how nature works, you can imitate it. The costs of comfort and production are reduced and our footprint on the earth is lightened.
Learn more with us. Enrol in our Permaculture Design Course.
