Strategically placed shelter can prolong the growing season, particularly for exposed gardens. By installing artificial or natural windbreaks, protection can be created for both immediate and long-term needs
Protection
Exposed gardens benefit from additional shelter. It increases the range of plants that can be grown, protects them from problems such as wind scorch, and can provide havens for pollinating insects, significantly increasing the growth and yield of fruit and vegetables.
Even apparently sheltered urban gardens may benefit from additional measures taken to reduce wind turbulence.
Choosing shelter
There are many kinds of shelter that can be used depending on personal taste, exposure and soil type in the garden. A screen filtering only 50-60 percent of the wind is ideal. If a complete block is attempted wind gathers speed on impact and its strength is increased.
Natural shelter
Living shelter belts can be evergreen, deciduous or a combination of both. A 6m (20ft) high hedge will give 60m (197ft) of shelter in its lee.
Artificial shelter
Best for immediate protection, artificial shelter can be used in conjunction with living windbreaks. It can be installed in exposed situations where living shelter has been newly planted and removed once the living shelter has matured.
Plastic screens can be used; woven or extruded plastic netting is also suitable. These may however be considered unsightly in highly visible areas.
Fencing
Solid fences will provide only limited shelter as they fail to filter wind successfully, unlike woven hurdles constructed, for example, from willow or bamboo.
Hedges
Trees and shrubs less than 4.5m (15ft) tall are best grown as hedges - they can be pruned to provide compact growth. Belts of taller trees will provide shelter on a larger scale and can be underplanted with shrubs for an additional buffer.
Sarah Durrant