Climate Zones and Landscape Observations

1. Climate Zones and Landscape Observations Evaluating you environment

2. Identifying Climate Zones World Climate Zones National Climate Zones (US) 1 through 10 Ranges -40*F to +40*F Gauged by Average Low Temperatures • Polar Zone • Temperate Zone • Tropical Zone • Equator and Poles gauge zone http://www.arborday.org/

3. Natural Landscape Elements • Topography • Soil • Trees/Shrubs • Flowers • Ground Covers • Boulders and Stones • Water, Sun, and Wind

4. Topography • Definition – contour of the land, the most basic piece of the landscape. • Level land is the easiest and least expensive to landscape. • The ideal topography is a gentle, rolling terrain with natural drainage. • Key terms • Terrain • Undulations

5. Topography Maps • Williams Township • Pennsyvania

6. Soil • Composition • Depth • Drainage www.soilsensor.com • Chemical characteristics • Grab a baseball size portion of the soil in your hands and wet the soil with water, working the moist soil with your hands. The stickier it is, the more clay there is. The soapier the soil feels the higher the silt content. Grittiness is indicative of sand. *Good soil encourages plant growth and provides plants with the right nutrients. It will have a proper balance of sand, silt, and clay. (LOAM)

7. Soil Texture Triangle

8. Greenery Trees/Shrubs Flowers Annuals – lasts 1 year Biennials – lasts 1-2 years Perennials – lasts many years, some never need replanting Seeds Seedlings Bulbs • Size – Oak Tree v. Azaela • Shade • Shelter

9. Ground Covers Greens Mulches/Stones Wood mulch Grass clippings Peat Ground corn cobs Gravel/stones Pine needles Spanish moss Black plastic • Grasses • Many different varieties • Low growing plants

10. Boulders and Stones • ‘Hardscape’ • Unique and unusual forms, textures, or colors • Walls • Artistic areas accenting landscape • Steps

11. Weather Elements • Water • Water level in the soil (Absorption rate) • Can cause or deter flooding • Swampy yards, wet basements • Poor plant growth • Wind • Poor plant growth • Sun • Can cause excellent or poor plant growth

12. Manufactured Landscape Elements • Hard surfaces(ground cover) • Enclosure Elements • Outdoor Furniture • Artificial Lighting

13. Hard Surfaces • Can be created anywhere within the landscape • Materials • Concrete • Brick • Stones • Ready made or poured to form • Types • Walkways • Steps • Patios

14. Enclosure Elements • Purpose – to enclose a space – security for children or pets/security from environment/privacy • Materials often used • Wood, aluminum, plastic, brick, block, stone, concrete, or combinations • Types • Freestanding walls • Retaining walls(soil against one side) • Fencing

15. Outdoor Furniture • Purpose – outdoor eating, relaxing, socializing • Styles – anything – can match or contrast interior • Materials • Metals • Wood • Plastic • Glass

16. Artificial Lighting • Purpose • Functional • Provide safety and security • Allows night work and leisure activities • Accent a landscape • Types • Automatic timers • Photoelectric cells(dusk to dawn – ‘street light’) • Motion detectors • Solar • Low voltage(12 or 24 volts)

17. Field Assignment #1 • Please make sure to be observing and researching these elements carefully in order to present this information accurately!! • Questions?