I'm a new member from abroad learnid slowly to interact at this site and also away from the mainstream gardeners of the U.S.A. However gardeners from southern Chile and southwestern Argentina like myself, can share their experience along with those from Tasmania and southern N.Zealand. In the U.S.A the three western States ( Washington, Oregon and California ) have characteristics of the mediterranean climate. (less so in Wa. more than Cal. which is more the prototype). Obviously other groups with whom we share the climate, that could be interested are those along the Mediterranean basin, . The mediterranean type of climate is not particularly extended in the world, and has some pecularities, such as very dry summers and wet and relatively mild winters . This limits what we can actually grow in the open space or what we can aspire to grow under controlled conditions of a greenhouse or conservatory. Naturally each site is in many ways specific, but sometimes simmilarities override local differences opening for new opportunities for trying out new species, cultivars or ways of cultivation. Since I dimly understand the logic of the group forums, I'm just proposing to whom it may concern, such a possibility, based on a climatological grouping alongside the geographical one. The USA has a climate zoning system that is very practical, but I have yet to discover if anyone has attempted to translate it onto a wider world wide scale. If anyone knows about it please let me know. Thank you Arturo Tarak
