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Show The Serious Gardener By Ben Freestone BASIN 'BANABA BELTS' CAN MAKE GARDENING EASIER You can grow cherries, peaches and other such delicacies right here in the Uintah Basin with a. little careful planning and by taking advantage of microclimates. A microclimate or "banana belt" is basically a favorable area in your yard or neighborhood where climate modifications exist that permit growing trees and shrubs that would be otherwise difficult or impossible. There are basically two kinds of microclimates. Those created by man and those that naturally exist in nature. The ones created by man are usually heated building or clusters of buildings such as housing development where supplementary heat is generated during winter. Most dangerous to tender plants and trees are open areas exposed to the cold and wind on all sides particularly on the north and west where they are in contact with our prevailing winds. Plants in hollows or in low areas where cold air is held motionless are also in danger. So, here are some of the warmest places where you'll have the highest winter temperatures: No further than 25 feet out from the east or south sides of your house; between your house and a close neighbor's neigh-bor's house or other heated building, and ; within 12 feet east and south of a windproof fence or other unheated structure. The technique of espalier is an interesting, in-teresting, decorative and effective method of growing tender fruit and flowering trees. The process involves planting the tree 1 to 2 feet from your house's foundation well clear of windows win-dows or other obstacles, and pruning back all growth which extends out from the wall more than 1 foot. The classic shapes are usually candelabra forms. Dwarf and semi-dwarf semi-dwarf fruit trees, or naturally small growing trees such as flowering crab, redbud and wisteria are good candidates can-didates since they won't move or crack your foundation. When you go to the nursery to select your tree for espaliering, look for one that is already fairly flat and symmetrical. sym-metrical. After planting, attach the larger branches carefully to the side of your house by installing masonry screws or galvanized nails and secure main branches to them as flat to the wall as possible with soft twine, old rubber hose strips of tree tie. Trim away- excess-growth to-expose-the expalier form desired. How does espaliering work? Because of the collection of heat in outside walls during the day, combined with your home's natural heat loss at night, espaliering makes it possible to maintain higher temperatures around your tree during the coldest of winters since it is attached to close to head conducting, protective surfaces. Especially effective is to espalier a tender tree to the outside masonry of fireplaces, but almost anyplace will do except the north side of the house. Espaliered and standard form trees can also be placed in courtyards and alcoves and near doors frequently opened during winter. Of course, you'll need to give the same winter protection to all these plants you do to your hardier har-dier ones. If you're planning a new home or have just moved into one, you should develop a fencing and landscaping plan which enhances or creates these microclimates. And, if you have native trees and shrubs already there, thin out only those which can become weedy or harbor pests and fill back in with plants with more desirable characteristics. What about the microclimates we have that exist because of our natural geographic features? Unfortunately little has been done in this area to find out where these "banana belts" are. We'd like to hear from you if you are already growing crop-bearing peaches, cherries or other trees and plants considered difficult here in the Basin with the idea of developing a topographic map for future publication in this column showing where these favorable areas are. Drop a card to The Serious Gardener, c-o The Vernal Express, P.O. Box 1010, Vernal, Utah 84078. Include your cross streets or provide a simple map showing your general location, the name of tree and variety, if known, such as "cherry, Bing, semi-dwarf," and its approximate age. NEXT WEEK: A shopping list of trees for the Basin and what they can do for your yard. |