Rather you’re a winter lover or a summer lover, one thing is indisputable. Warmer climates have longer grower seasons. One would think this makes warmer climates optimal for the best growing seasons across the board, right?
Not quite. In this article we’ll explore some of the downsides of growing in a warmer climate, like the difficulties of growing organic, and the quality of the food and the soil. Who knows, maybe a snowy winter is worth it depending on what you’re looking to grow.
One study suggests that organic farms yield 21.8% less in warmer climates than non organic farms compared to an 18.4% less yield in climates across the board. This isn’t a massive difference, and the study states that the variability in climates is hard to quantify in this particular study but still, it begs the question why are warmer climates producing less organic yields than the colder climates?
Organic farming in warmer climates can be an open invitation to pests and other issues that occur in extended periods of warm weather. Organic farming in colder climates just doesn’t have the kind of sweltering heat for extended periods that can lead to crop problems.
And with temperature increases in warmer climates brought on by climate change, we’re seeing an increase in plant diseases. Certain crops yield lower in extreme heat as well.
Additionally, many hearty leafy greens like Kale and collards don’t develop a really good flavor until they’re exposed to a cold snap. This can be harder to generate in climates where it’s warm all the time. Thus producing bitter greens.
While it is true that certain foods just need warmer climates to grow, like citrus plants and other tropical fruits, heartier plants may thrive in colder climates. That being said, unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change are making it harder for crops to produce across the board. Regardless of where you live growing seasons are becoming more and more unpredictable.
Just last year a late in season frost killed all of my uncle’s buds on his citrus trees. That meant no citrus for the season, and many of the trees didn’t survive the frost. This isn’t your typical global warming story. Most stories on global warming focus on just that, record high heat waves and unseasonably warm winters, but we aren’t just seeing the climate warm, we’re seeing unexpected bizarre weather patterns in extreme ways.
This is one anecdotal story, but it’s part of a larger conversation about what the future of agriculture may look like if we continue down this path. Some experts estimate we have less than 60 grow seasons left with our current rates of soil erosion.
By the way, a quick google search about the effects of climate change on organic farming will bring up all sorts of questions like rather or not organic farming is *actually* better for the environment but rest assured, the results are in, organic farming is better for you, the soil, and the crops in every way, even if it yields slightly less or takes more space to grow the same amount of food.
If you’re a Detroit local like us, or planting a garden in zone 6B, it’s a good idea to start with root vegetables and hearty greens first. Then start your warmer weather crops inside eight weeks prior to the last frost. Cole crops such as Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage also do well in the cold this time of year. As for fruit, berry bushes, apple trees and cherry trees all do well here. There is a huge variety of crops you can grow in zone 6B. For more information check out this article by Morning Chores.
If you’re planning on starting a garden or farm and you’re wondering where the optimal location to set up camp would be, consider looking at the weather patterns in that location as well as what you primarily want to grow. That being said, keep in mind that with the modern usage of hoop houses and greenhouses, you can grow almost anything, anywhere.