Ways to create shelter from wind
Katfish
Posts: 56
The area along the side of my house seems to create a bit of a wind tunnel. This means that the raised beds at the end of it are being bashed by the wind and I have found that many plants don't survive the lack of shelter. The raised beds get the best part of the sun and are well placed for viewing from the house.
I have to keep the area up the side of the house accessible for my neighbours to bring their wheelie bins through. So I can't build fencing across the area to shelter the raised beds.
It is a long area as it is the full depth of the house.
The whole property and surrounding properties have a traditional feel so anything too modern would look out of place.
Any suggestions as to how to create some shelter for the plants in the raised beds?
Posts
A photo of the area would be helpful Katfish.
We also have a wind tunnel outside our home and right down the driveway. There was a privet hedge at the top end but we took it out and in hindsight that probably wasn't the best thing to do although the hedge was an eyesore of dead branches and gaps and also shaded our new sun lounge. We can't replant as we have a patio in the area where the hedge grew.
I wish there was a magic answer - and perhaps in your case there will be, but it is difficult to visualize so I would find a photo or drawing of the area much easier to comment on.
Hopefully this will come out ok. This is standing at the gate at the front of the house and looking down to the raised bed. The wind will usually blow in that same direction, from the front of the house to the back.
Doghouse Riley - I did consider that possibility of putting bits of alternating trellis either side to weave around. I guess I can speak to my neighbours and do a test run with a wheelie bin to make sure it's do-able. I just don't know how to make it look nice rather than just a couple of bits of trellis.
GuernseyDonkey2 - there was some trellis and hedge along the top of the wall all the way around but it was damaging the stone wall. It also didn't solve the problem of the wind blowing in this particular direction. But it does sound like you have the same problem as me with it.
Sorry, I don't have an answer, but I do think Doghouse may have a solution worth carrying forward.
Good Luck and let us know the outcome.