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Windbreak ideas for garden

Parasol in garden

Article by skyline

Believe it or not, high winds aren’t just a problem for gardens on the coast. There are plenty of gardens inland that receive regular batterings from prevailing winds. In such cases, you may be in need of some windbreak ideas for gardens.

Whether it’s toppled over pots and planters, damaged branches or upside down garden furniture, the wind can really make it difficult to enjoy your garden in winter – and throughout the rest of the year, for that matter. Not to mention, the wind can potentially ruin the hard work you put into your green oasis.

But remember, you can’t fight the wind, you can only prepare for it! Read on for the best windbreak ideas for gardens and windproof your garden today.

Use a windbreak fence

A typical garden fence will not provide much defence against strong winds. With a normal fence or wall, the wind merely goes up and over. This will only slow the wind down slightly and most of your plants will still get a bit of a battering.

A slatted fence, on the other hand, doesn’t just calm the wind near the base of the fence. In fact, it allows the wind to pass through more slowly, meaning that faster wind flows above the fence line. To catch wind flowing over the top, simply add a taller structure to provide your plants and furniture with extra protection.

This is arguably the most effective windbreak idea for gardens. Plus, the good thing about slatted fences is that they look nice and offer much needed privacy. 

Get plants that flourish in windy conditions 

If you’re an avid gardener, you may be worried about whether installing a windbreak fence will provide your plants with enough protection. But don’t worry! The good news is that there are plenty of plants available that enjoy growing in windy conditions.

Hardy geraniums come in beautiful shades of white, purple and candy-floss pink. They may look delicate, but these flowers have little trouble withstanding the elements. If you’re looking for something a little more evergreen, why not try brachyglottis? These shrubs are perfect for coastal gardens and can tolerate drought winds. Plus, in the summer, they produce gorgeous yellow blooms.

Eryngium variifolium is also tough as old boots and produces beautiful flowers in the late summer months. And don’t forget! You can create a living windbreak using a suitable hedging plant, such as hawthorn, berberis and sea buckthorn. This will help to protect the more delicate plants in the garden and also provide some shelter for wildlife.

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Support tall plants

The next windbreak idea we’re bringing is to support tall plants. Even your stronger plants may not be able to take what the UK climate throws at them. Strong winds can put your taller, less secure plants through their paces. So, tie them to a sturdy metal or wooden support at regular intervals to give them some extra support and prevent snapping.

However, bear in mind that some climbing plants have a tendency to snap when supported during severe weather. In such cases, it may be best to untie them from their supports and carefully lay them on the ground. That way, they are out of harm’s way until the severe weather passes.

 Alternatively, you can tie climbing plants, such as vining tomatoes and beans around a cone structure, as opposed to a traditional ridge structure. You will find that the wind moves more freely around cone structures, which means that climbing plants are less likely to snap or blow over.

There are even plants – like fig trees – that you can tip over and bury to protect from storms! This isn’t suitable for every type of plant though, so make sure you do your research and understand what your plants need. 

Choose the right parasol

Our last windbreak idea for garden? Choose the right furniture for your climate – whether it’s daybeds, dining sets or even parasols. Parasols are great for keeping you cool when the weather is warm. Of course, parasols are a pretty addition to any garden, but what good is a parasol when it’s windy outside? 

Well,  parasols can handle almost any windy force, but this will largely depend on the weight of your chosen parasol base. Parasol bases are usually made of concrete, cast, iron, granite or resin and are typically weighted or designed to be held down by weights. 

Parasol in garden

If the wind in your garden is usually above 20 km/h, it’s wise to choose a parasol that can stay open above 24 km/h. That way, you can rest easy knowing that your parasol won’t blow over and potentially damage your plants and garden furniture. We hope these windbreak ideas for garden keep your garden protected from blustery spells. If you need help finding the right parasol for your garden, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today. We look forward to chatting with you soon!