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David Hare-Scott[_2_] · 30-05-2011, 11:43 PM posted to rec.gardens

On Mon, 30 May 2011 10:08:59 -0400, wrote:

Chris writes:

OK, global climate change is a fact. I don't want to get into whether
it is caused by humans or not, so I will ignore any replies that argue
that.

My gardening question is this: all the best scenarios say weather will
become more extreme and more variable. Variable extreme weather is
death to the home gardener. Any suggestions on this?

Seems to me, they garden in Alaska and at the Equator.
Aren't those both examples of extreme weather?

Extreme climates but predictably so. However there are risks there;
for example in the tropics monsoons may fail.

Maybe you have some other kind of extreme in mind?

Yes, the variable sort. This will make growing more difficult in two
ways.

Variation in climate from the one you have now, so things that suit
may not suit in future. Of course other things that don't suit now
may suit in future. Both are going to be challenges of adaptation.

Secondly, stronger variations in weather, that is more extreme weather
events. Dry may get drier, wet may get wetter, storms may get
stronger. This is another challenge.

The tornados ripping through the middle of the US affect a very small
percentage of the total land surface.

True, but a failed monsoon will affect hundreds of millions of people.
Also tropical rain in what was the dry season will promote the spread
of disease (like denque fever which has no immunisation) over wide
areas.

Anyway, what's with the doom and gloom. Here in the northern hemisphere
it's spring and phrases like "death to the home gardener" seem
so inappropriate.

Heat waves can be deadly for the old and weak in cool climates where
neither buildings nor people are prepared to cope.

But you are right that we must be optimistic. I don't mean the
foolish optimism of the deniers (if we close our eyes it will go away)
but optimism that we can adapt.

A robin has built it's nest on top of the box that was installed for
FIOS on my house. I'm enjoying peeking out the door watching the
robin sit patiently on it's eggs. It's nest is on the FIOS box and
right under the electric meter. 2 days ago we had about 15 minutes of
the heaviest rain I've seen in a while. The winds must have hit about
45MPH. I was a bit concerned about the robin so I peeked out the door
and saw that the house and the electric meter protected the bird nicely.
It looked like it was enjoying the weather.

Points a

1. Adopt a positive attitude.

Yes.

2. Life (and gardens) will find a way.

Ever heard the curse "may you live in interesting times"?

David