Climate
Climate is the usual seasonal range of temperatures, types and amount of precipitation, wind, cloud cover, etc. Climate is weather over a long period of time, years or decades. Climate changes are relatively slow.
Additional Information
For gardeners, climate controls what type of plants can be grown. The length of the growing season is one important factor. Also important are the extremes of temperature. Plants have a limit as to how cold a temperature they can survive. Most annuals die if exposed to freezing weather. Perennials usually die back to the roots during winter, but perennial roots will die if the freeze exceeds a limit specific to the type of plant.
Heat also matters. Some plants thrive in high temperatures, but plants native to cool regions will likely shrivel in hot regions.
Trees, fences, houses, and other structures provide localized shade. These shady areas change in shape as the sun migrates through the day and through the seasons.
Structures, trees, and shrubs also change the wind flow. They will block wind from some areas and funnel it into others. Houses and fences will block rainfall in some spots but concentrate precipitation in others. Down spouts from gutters will flood a spot during a rain.
A sloping landscape also affects plants. Soil on a slope drains more quickly, but moisture accumulates at the base. A south facing slope is warmer than a flat landscape. A north facing slope gets less sun and warms more slowly in the spring.
Trees and shrubs will compete strongly for nutrients in the soil as well as moisture. Their thick roots can out-compete many garden plants.
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