Plants and the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification

In April we decided that we were going to adopt a shrub/bush of some type for our larger balcony. Some balconies we see are filled with plants so we had been thinking about it. We did have concerns about not having enough sun but we thought we would give it a try. We learned about a large garden center within our 10 km travel limit during the most recent lockdown so off we went. PLUS, it was allowed to be open during the lockdown. Woo Hoo!

We were very impressed by the number of lemons on this lemon tree for sale. 

After wandering around a bit, we found a faux cypress that we agreed had the right characteristics to do well in our situation and even survive the winter outside in its pot. We also purchased a large pot and a watering can. In this shot it hasn't been transplanted to its new home! 

The previous tenant left a large ceramic pot on the balcony and we thought that it would be perfect for a tomato. We also had a small self-watering pot. We had purchased the self-watering pot in Indonesia and brought it with us. We transplanted the plants and had them outside for a bit but then the weather reverted back to more wintery temps and we had to bring them inside until it was more consistently warm overnight. The faux cypress is doing fine outside despite the cool nights. 

We've been able to harvest basil to make a veggie basil dip and the tomato has grown quite a lot. At least it's not an heirloom Cherokee tomato. We had one once that grew to 10 feet. At purchase time we thought we were buying a patio cherry tomato. On looking it up, it probably isn't. We will get a longer stake for this baby soon. Mature height is supposed to be 5-6.6 feet. The info I found does say it's a fast grower and it is a cherry tomato! The overnight temps have moderated so we have now moved the basil and tomato outside. This photo was taken a while ago. 

Currently, the tomato is slightly taller than me!

And... we have at least 2 baby tomatoes!

The weather here is different from what I've experienced in the past. At one point I even asked my French tutor how the plants survive here with so little rain. In the 7 months we have been here we have seen very little precipitation. Even when it rains, it is usually not an actual rain but more of a mist or drizzle and it doesn't seem to last long. Someone B works with suggested this area was considered semi-arid. I wanted to know more so began some research. 

This area has the Köppen-Geiger classification Cfb which means "oceanic climate." There are two subcategories 1) marine west coast climate and 2) subtropical highland climate with uniform rainfall.

First, obviously we are not ocean adjacent by any means. We are in the middle of the country. However, we have the Cfb classification. I read that this usually occurs in higher middle latitudes on the western sides of continents. I suppose this fits. The definition goes on to say that these climates are dominated all year round by the "polar front" leading to changeable, often overcast weather. That part certainly fits.  We would typically have a warm summer as opposed to a hot summer or cold summer. Precipitation occurs throughout the year - but from what we've seen, not much of it. However, we have had some actual rain in the last few weeks. This was the first time we'd seen rain like this so we had to get a photo.

 

I'm not hoping for massive rains, but, hopefully, these few days of real rain won't be the only ones we see.