New Landscape Makes a Yard Feel New Again

Do you live in a windy area? While all yards have to deal with occasional winds, some homeowners must face the likelihood of regular wind interference or even common wind storms. If you're one of these homeowners, what can you do to conquer your windy challenges? Here are a few things to consider. 

1. Plant Windbreaks. A natural windbreak helps reduce the wind behind it. Although you may think of fencing as the primary way to reduce winds, trees and shrubs can do the job as well and are often more flexible. Plant a row of taller greenery — often evergreens — to serve as the first line of wind defense. In front of these, add a second layer at a reasonably close distance. In general, this layer should be shorter, including shrubs and dwarf trees. 

2. Use Hardy Plants. When choosing plants, ask about their hardiness in windy conditions. Often, what you want are flexible plants that can bend and bow as the wind blows. This might include several varieties of palms, crepe myrtle, or lilac bushes. Other plants and trees — such as the olive or agave — come from windy native regions and are sturdily built to hold up. 

3. Focus on Drip Irrigation. Sprinklers don't work very well in the wind. What water isn't blown away during the sprinkling is likely to evaporate more quickly. A better irrigation choice is a drip system. Drip irrigation delivers targeted, ground-level water directly to the base of each plant or throughout a garden bed. You'll save money and have less work with the right watering plan. 

4. Keep Things Trimmed. Proper pruning and maintenance are essential when the yard faces regular winds. The more debris is left sitting around, the more hazards will fly through the landscape. And diseased, dying, or damaged branches are also more likely to break in the wind — injuring the tree, other landscape features, and even people or property. 

5. Protect With Hardscape. Hardscape is the inorganic elements of the yard. Inorganic features help protect the organic features. Keep water from evaporating and protect roots with rock mulch instead of organic mulch. Use the sides of the house as windbreaks to protect smaller plants or your garden. And create solid storage areas for backyard equipment so it doesn't get loose and damage the landscape. 

Want more tips for dealing successfully with a windy climate? Start by meeting with a landscape designer experienced in your region. No matter which steps you take, the result will be a healthier yard and a more enjoyable landscape.

For more information on landscape design, contact a company like Diamond Lawn Care & Landscape LLC.