First frost for Broomfield

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First frost for Broomfield

Sunday, 20 May 12 Sunny 0°C / 32°F

For the record…
Major one today apparently, slight hint of one a week ago.

I noticed on the way back to Melbourne, at 21:00 last night, that the grass was crisp underfoot. Rang DW this morning and confirmed that it truly is brass monkey weather there.

Settings updated: Old date was 8th July. Yes Virginia, Central Victoria is a colder region.

This entry is about

Messmate Farm garden

Comments

flowerweaver wrote:
It will be interesting to hear how long your new winter lasts, considering it is so much earlier in coming. What is the elevation difference between the block and Mlbourne? Does that have something to do with it?

Posted on 20 May 12 (about 1 year ago)
graibeard wrote:
Melbourne for us was approx 50 metres (165 feet) and close to a huge body of water (Port Phillip Bay), thus we rarely saw a severe frost.

Broomfield on the other hand is smack bang in the center of Victoria, and basically sits on (or near enough for these purposes) the Great Dividing Range which has a huge influence on the climate for the whole of Australia (it’s a long mountain range that parallels the east coast.) Our place sits at 450 metres (1477 feet) elevation, about 5 miles away ( as the eagles fly :) it’s at 730 metres. So it’s a combination of a few things I guess – the absence of the large mass of water (P.P.Bay), and certainly the elevation; especially under the influence of that mountain range.

Prior to moving here, ex-locals (and locals!) informed us that we could wipe 4°C off any temperatures that we were use to. By the feel of it, they aren’t far wrong either! :-)

It’s going to be very interesting to see what grows here in comparison with the previous place. I’m sure there will be more than enough though as the sun still shines – often.

p.s. DW just loves the wood fired heater. (she always has, but especially this one!)

Posted on 20 May 12 (about 1 year ago)
halhurst wrote:
So what zone does this put you in? As far as USDA zones apply.

Posted on 30 May 12 (12 months ago)
graibeard wrote:
Zone 9b apparently, going by Diggers zone map.

We still have plenty of sunny days, and a few areas around the farm where microclimates will have an affect, so it’s going to be interesting finding out just how big the differences will be.

Posted on 30 May 12 (12 months ago)
Sue_McMuffin09 wrote:
be interesting to read about the microclimates, they are a particular interest to me… just interested in how they work elsewhere to me.. but you will probably notice a big difference in frosts etc where you are now.

Posted on 30 May 12 (12 months ago)