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Windbreaks

Prevent Soil Erosion, Conserve Water

Windbreaks are similar in design to shelterbelts, but can also be made from other materials than plants.

A good windbreak only slows or re-directs the wind, it doesn’t stop it entirely.

It takes an incredibly strong structure to actually stop a good gust of wind. Trees make good windbreaks simply because they bend, rather than resist its force.

Using buildings already in place, and fencing or planting trees strategically between them is an excellent technique for controlling wind.

Windbreaks in the right place can effectively slow or re-direct prevailing winds.

In many cases, windbreaks are only placed to deflect the strongest winds coming from one direction, as milder wind speeds aren’t such a problem.

windbreak

Mountains or hills can be windbreaks too, and building adjacent to the south face of a mountain gives a farm or garden a distinct advantage of protection from cold north winds.

Seasonally, weather patterns can change dramatically.

Summer and winter winds can come from diametrically opposite directions, so windbreaks to deal with both these scenarios are important.

Coniferous trees to the north of a site protect from cold arctic outflow winds, while deciduous trees planted to the south and west will have the added benefit of shade from strong sun from those directions.

A comprehensive study of your site in all seasons will help you decide where a windbreak is needed.

Utilize natural features and buildings to plan the best placement of a windbreak to give all the benefits possible.

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SBI!

Wildlife and Birds

Important Visitors to your Xeric Garden

Xeric gardens are important places for birds and wildlife - they can find food, shelter and water, the three most crucial things for their survival.

Don't be too quick to condemn insects or spiders - they are useful too. Trying to find out what kind of insects you have? Check the Insect Encyclopedia. Look for your spider on the Spider Identification page.

Many prey insects such as aphids will be attracted to dill or other nectar producing plants. In turn, they will feed wasps, crickets, ladybugs and many other beneficial insects.

Lizards and snakes can give you a good scare if they move suddenly - their talent for mimicry protects them from predators, but it also means that we don't see them until they move. Give them room to hide; warm stones in a rock retaining wall, and a hibernacula to spend the winter in, and they'll be happy.

Hedgerows and shelterbelts are important places for birds in the summer, to raise their young, find insects and berries, and in the winter they hold snow to prevent soil erosion, and serve as a water capture system.

You may find that hedgerows are not limited to wildlife habitat, they are also valuable for growing craft supplies.

Xeric gardens truly are the multi-taskers of the the natural world.

Find all pages to do with wildlife in your xeric garden on the Wildlife Site Map.

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