How To Windproof Your Garden For The Year Ahead
No one truly gets the joy behind gardening until they try it for themselves. Watching those beautiful flowers first take bloom evokes a sense of joy seldom experienced by any other act.
The mental satisfaction along with the many health benefits associated with gardening makes this hobby extremely rewarding. It is very much like a form of natural yoga.
Some of us are lucky to be born with a green thumb but for the rest of us gardening lovers, we tend to need all the help we can get. Maintaining the perfect garden that has lots of open and sheltered spaces, fertile soil, plenty of sunlight, proper draining and is windproof is easier said than done. It is not just hard work – it can also be quite expensive to do.
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Protecting Your Garden From The Forces Of Nature
With the effects of global warming becoming more paramount in importance in many regions around the world, gardening has become more challenging than it once was. Heavy pollution, poor quality air, unpredictable weather, direct sunlight, a lack of nutrients and harsh winds can all damage your precious plants, causing them to often wither and die before your very eyes.
If you have had such a tragic incident befall your garden, you are not alone. Gardeners all over the world, including myself, have all had incidents where we have stepped out only to find our immaculately kept garden destroyed by a freak overnight storm and gusting winds. This is especially true in the UK where the weather is extremely unpredictable and often not conducive for many species of plants.
This is why it is so important to windproof your garden even if you’re buying a shelter for your plants and using proper gazebo weights. Using a few simple tips and tricks, you can not only protect your delicate plants from the brutal forces of Mother Nature but also help your plants to grow better and offer better yields.
How To Windproof Your Garden - 4 Easy Tips & Tricks
If the wind is the one thing that you are most worried about when it comes to protecting your vegetable or flower garden, you need to find an effective, efficient and inexpensive way to reduce the airflow. The only way to do so is by using windbreaks.
Natural Windbreaks
A windbreak is essentially any sort of secured barrier that is about 50% permeable. This means that the protective barrier will allow approximately 50% of the air to pass through, making them a lot more effective than solid barriers with no permeability.
Whenever possible, use natural windbreaks. Not only do they tend to be more effective but they are also much more aesthetically pleasing than man-made alternatives.
Natural windbreaks or barriers can include growing plants such as lavender and box hedge in the areas of your garden that are most exposed to the wind. Hedges, especially beech and hornbeam, are particularly wind-resistant and can offer one of the best forms of natural wind protection.
Fedges are also great if you want your garden to have a more unique natural look. Simply plant a row of willow around your garden plants and weave the strands together to create an all-natural fence that protects against both the wind and unwanted critters and pests.
If you have the time, growing fruit trees around your vegetable or flower garden can also offer excellent wind protection along with shelter and aesthetic beauty.
Man-made Windbreaks
If stormy weather is around the corner and you don’t have the time to grow your very own natural wind protection, there are some artificial windbreak options that can be just as effective.
Fences are a great way to protect from strong winds. However, having solid fences is a bad idea. The force of the wind can easily take down solid fences or force the air over such that it ends up causing even more damage not just to your garden but also to your home.
Always opt for permeable fences such as ones made from willow and hazel that allow air to pass through while still offering a natural look.
Screening is another way to effectively reduce the impact of the wind on your garden. Netted or decorated screens can not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your garden but also offer a quick, inexpensive and complete solution as part of windproofing your garden.
Garden dividers can also be used to break up your garden space and slow down the airflow. Windbreak awnings, trellis panels, sail shades and pergolas are all viable windproof solutions for urban and outdoor gardens.
Plant Spacing
Something as simple as the space between each of your plants can make all the difference when it comes to protecting them against natural hazards such as bad weather, pests and even diseases.
When planting your garden, always remember that there is strength in numbers. Blocks of plants that are more tightly spaced are much more likely to be resilient than a plant that is left exposed and alone.
Finding the correct spacing for your plants is a simple solution for added protection but one that amateur gardeners seldom get right.
Take The Necessary Precautions
As the global climate becomes increasingly unpredictable, it is up to us to take measures to ensure that our gardens continue to flourish and grow. If bad weather seems to be on the horizon, it is time to act!
The first thing that you should do is start clearing your garden of any objects that might catch the wind and take off. Anything that is remotely light enough to take flight must either be secured or moved indoors. Things like netting, covers, garden fleece and other garden furniture should all be weighted down and secured with meticulous detail.
The greenhouse is likely to be the most sensitive and damage-prone area of your garden. That is why it is important to make sure that it is wind tight and secure at all times. All it takes is one loose flapping corner to cause havoc. Taking that extra time to make sure that everything is nice and tight is certainly worth it and highly recommended!
I hope that these simple yet effective windproof tips and tricks can help you to better protect your precious garden from gale-force winds and other natural hazards. After all, gardening is a joyous act that should never result in heartbreak!
