wind at the bottom of the garden (!) - suggestions for best wind break

REMF33 · May 2020

Earlier this year, the local school, whose field our garden backs onto, replaced the fence and removed all the shrubs etc. This means we have a lot more light down there, and I was thinking of growing my tomatoes against the fence. But having just planted out beans in the raised bed in front of it I am worrying about the wind factor. Can anyone suggest anything to break the wind (hum...) that doesn't stop light getting through? Would it be foolish to put tomatoes against the fence anyway?

I plan to grow the tomatoes in quadgrows which means they will be elevated by about 7inches/18cm.

Please frogive the mess. I ran out of steam after planting 150+ plants

(And yes, the tree to the left is an issue, alas...)

Mrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants · May 2020

As an immediate measure try lining the fence with windbreak fabric.

REMF33 · May 2020

Thanks. That was my thinking, too but was wondering if anyone has ever sourced any that doesn't shade the garden. I don't want to block out the newly gained light. I suppose I don't have to put it all the way up.

Lizzie27 · May 2020

Hello @REMF33, is there a particular problem, which way does the garden face? If it's north or east, that might not be so good but south or west should be okay. The windbreak material is a good idea and as you say, you wouldn't need to put it all the way up. Otherwise you could try bamboo or brushwood panels, which would break the wind's force but also let a certain amount of light through.

REMF33 · May 2020

I was looking at enviromesh, but guessing it won't be robust enough. The garden is south and slightly east facing.

tui34 · May 2020

Although tomatoes need light to grow, what they do thrive on is heat and water. Windbreak is a good idea and probably the only quick solution. Be careful not to buy Shade Cloth. The first row of tomatoes next to the fence will probably get the brunt of the wind!! But the others would probably be fine. Let's hope you have a calm and hot summer!!

REMF33 · May 2020

So something like this?
https://www.sure-green.com/knitted-windbreak-mesh.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw5Ij2BRBdEiwA0Frc9fssisLTzjFPjBL80iAu-6a-ORL2i6HvymkCdzaHZqcd-zZrb0GkZBoCVswQAvD_BwE#158=285

or more this sort of thing?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Windbreak-Fencing-Plastic-Netting-Hexagonal/dp/B00IJGLCEA/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=windbreak+mesh&qid=1589787972&s=outdoors&sr=1-5

I am assuming it needs to let some wind through otherwise it may just billow out. i.e. this is probably inadvisable?
https://www.omlet.co.uk/shop/chicken_keeping/eglu_weather_protection/15626/clear_wind_break_kit_for_chicken_fencing/?gShoppingPid=15626&gclid=CjwKCAjw5Ij2BRBdEiwA0Frc9aH6Pk19jMfktVmiJK2Dh2R6QRZY4PoNJH6wuv7Zl2uzlsu39sNXnhoCwIAQAvD_BwE

There is still plan b which is put most of the tomatoes on the patio. It's not a big patio, though, and annoys husband so putting them down the garden seemed like a really good idea earlier in the year (when the 40ft high oak tree had no leaves... although this is not a deal breaker.)

Might get some sort of wind break anyway for the sake of the beans.
My tomatoes would like to go outside now (some of them nearly 4ft with fruit) but Monty Don says end of May

(I am beginning to harden them off though.)

Butterfly66 · May 2020

Yes, you want something that lets the wind through but filters it. Even the fence as it is will be reducing the strength and impact of the wind in your plants. A solid barrier will cause turbulence on the lee side.

It’s counterintuitive but anything with 50-60 ‘holes’ will be very effective

REMF33 · May 2020

Thanks!

wind at the bottom of the garden (!) - suggestions for best wind break

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