Wow! It’s only March 13 and we set up lawn chairs and had dinner outside! It wasn’t just wishful thinking either; we were actually warm enough in the sun to stay out for an hour. Our house and garage are white and frame the back yard forming a micro climate. Perhaps I will try growing zone 5-6 plants there to see if they survive.

It surprises me how one house can have two different temperature patterns. The front of our house faces an open park and is exposed to strong winds. The back must be at least four or five degrees warmer on sunny days making it a completely different zone.