protect plants from wind
Wind can adversely affect your plants in many ways and wind damage can take many forms. Broken branches and toppled trees are the most noteworthy effects and are often the topic of news broadcasts during windy spells. Other less noticeable types of damage include dried out soil, sprinkler overspray, and the loss of young plants. We in Southern California have a very special type of wind called the Santa Anas and as anyone who has lived here for a while knows they can be very detrimental.
Santa Ana winds are extremely dry offshore winds that usually hit Southern California in the late fall and winter. The worst part for us is that is also wildfire season, so those winds fan the flames and often take a small brush fire or even a spark and turn it into an inferno. With this in mind, it is important to remember to clear brush away from your home as early in the year as possible to reduce your risks.
There are a few things that you can do during a windy spell to keep your plants in the best shape possible.
Keep potted plants well watered, especially the small pots. They will less likely tip over or blow away if they are watered because they are heavier.
Stake new trees and shrubs properly. A row of trees or shrubs that you are growing into a screen will eventually be great protection, but while they grow to protect your landscape you need to protect them.
You can create small, protected recesses within windy areas on a slope or flat ground. Dig pockets for your plants then surround the plants with stones or rocks.
Protect the soil from drying out with a layer of mulch (another reason to mulch!)
You can also select plants that do well in the wind. Here are some suggestions that do well in Southern California.
Crape Myrtle, conifers, ornamental grasses, Lagunaria patersonii (Primrose Tree), most Melaleucas, many Pittosporums, Arbutus unedo (strawberry bush), ceanothus, dodonea (Hopseed Bush), Nandina (Heavenly Bamboo), Westringia fruiticosa (Coast Rosemary), Penstemon, Salvia, Day Lily and many more.
Take some time to assess your property, it’s been very windy recently, and we’re just starting the summer.
Happy Gardening!
BLOGGER BIO
After years in the rat race of Corporate America, Julie Molinare took advantage of the economic climate and at the urging of her family went back to school where she found her true calling. Graduating with Honors from California State University at Northridge, Landscape Design Extension Program in 2003; she has begun her journey into the backyards of her community. She truly enjoys working with her clients to create their own little haven.
In 2007 she returned to California State University at Northridge this time as the Instructor of the Introduction to Landscape Design Class. Teaching others that want to break into the Landscape Design field has allowed her to give back to an industry that has been good to her. Connecting with others that want to learn from her expertise has allowed her to share the new energy and ideas of people experiencing the joy of helping create other people’s landscape dreams for the first time!
Julie strives to help all her clients find the right plants and design to fit their needs, and the needs of their family while at the same time preserving the environment and complementing the community they live in. Her designs are created with the client as a primary focus, while taking into consideration the microclimate and planting requirements of each site. Julie has become a true expert with her knowledge of the plants that work well in Southern California and even more specifically her extensive knowledge of the Santa Clarita Valley.
Contact information for Julie:
The Grass Is Always Greener Landscape Designs
661-917-3521
For more information on my designs: thegrassisalwaysgreener
Thanks Julie. . .
It’s funny, I don’t even think of the wind on my plants until I notice that they are damaged, so protecting them beforehand is a great plan. Thanks.
Also, Julie, I’ve been noticing quite a few some brown spots on my crab apple leaves and on the leaves of my exotic magnolia–is this, as I suspect, from the scorching sun that we’ve had in the past week or so? And if so, is there anything I can do to prevent or protect my trees and shrubs? Please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
renee
Yes, Rene! I have been seeing quite a bit of sun damage from our “little” heatwave. There are some things that you can do to protect your tender plants.
The most important step you can take is prior to planting, that would be to make sure that your plants are placed properly according to their sun and water requirements (in hyrozones). Shade loving plants such as Camellias, Hydrangeas, deciduous Magnolias, and Japanese Maples need to be planted in the understory of shade trees or in other shaded areas of your landscape. Camellias and Azaleas (though Azaleas don’t do well here) are fairly shallow rooted so watch them, they can dry out quickly!
Make sure that you keep all your plants well watered, the best time to water is very early in the morning (or very late at night) since it’s so hot and dry here you don’t have to worry much about fungus. Make sure that your sprinklers are set to water no later than about 6 am and you should be fine. Also, it is important to “cycle” your watering, especially on a slope. Instead of putting 6 minutes of water all at once; smaller 1 or 2 minute increments an hour apart will allow the water to penetrate deeper and will not run off into the street. If you are hand watering you can watch how the water reacts and act accordingly.
MULCH! A nice 3″ layer of mulch on everything will help retain moisture and will keep those weeds at bay. (Can you tell that I love mulch?)
If you are noticing that the bark of your trees is getting brown or scalded they can be painted with a whitewash or interior white latex paint as added protection.
I guess I should just write a How to Protect Your Plants From Heat Post!
Also, CLWA is has a FANTASTIC program that homeowners can take advantage of. They are giving out FREE WBICs (Weather Based Irrigation Controllers). You can contact Rene Emeterio of SLM at 805-520-7590 for more information… I’ll be writing about it shortly or contact me and I can help you too.
Very helpful, Julie. Thanks!
I have recently plavted some bamboo. Any tips on how to keep it thriving?
Thanks Julie. Having you re-landscape our yard is on my to-do list. I really want olive trees. I love the shape and color. They have trees without olives don’t they? Have to think about Bogey!
Hi Lorie – first I’d love to know what kind of bamboo you planted. I’m hoping that you planted a clumping variety and will give you tips based on what you planted. Let me know and I will be happy to help.
Kim – I am so looking forward to working with you! You have such a great sense of style and your home is different than many I have worked with, which would really allow me to be creative. I too love Olive trees – there are two very dependable fruitless varieties and we can be very Bogey friendly in our design.