Gardeners often face environmental influences that affect the growth and health of their garden plants. It can be difficult to know what the plant or how to plan your garden if you live in a space with challenging weather.
Wind can be particularly challenging in any garden space; however, with the right plant selection and proper care, you can create a beautiful and resilient garden in windy areas.
In this post, I’ll share how wind affects plant and garden health and essential care tips to ensure plants thrive whether they are flowers or vegetables growing in the ground, raised beds, or planters despite windy conditions.
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Understanding the Challenges of Wind on Plant Health
Gardening in windy areas can present unique hurdles that require careful consideration and planning.
First, wind can cause significant physical damage to plants.
Wind can break leaves, stems, and branches which harms the aesthetic appeal of your garden, but these injuries can also compromise the overall health and longevity of your plants, as torn leaves and broken stems and branches reduce a plant’s photosynthesis capability for two reasons.
One, there are fewer leaves to produce glucose, and two, because of the wounds, the cells that carry out photosynthesis do so less efficiently.
Reduced photosynthesis leads to slowed or stunted growth because of fewer available nutrients.
Plants can’t reach their full potential if they are constantly cut back or pruned due to breakage.
Wind can accelerate the rate of moisture loss from plant foliage and soil, which leads to dry, dehydrated plants.
Strong winds can also cause soil erosion, further impacting plant growth and stability.
5 Plant Characteristics to Consider with Windy Conditions
Plant structures run into trouble when they catch or resist the wind. Let’s talk about plant characteristics to consider for a garden full of plants that roll with the wind rather than fight against it.
1. Look for Plants with Slender, Flexible Leaves, Stems, and Branches
Pliable, bendable leaves and stems, like dracaenas and other grasses, can withstand the constant movement caused by the wind because they allow the wind to pass through easily.
Plants with brittle stems like Calibrachoa (Million Bells), Fuchsia, and Begonias are a no-go in windy spaces because strong breezes break entire branches off in a snap.
2. Steer away From Plants with Broad Leaves
Leaf structure and can make or break a plant’s ability to survive wind.
Plants with large, delicate, wide leaves, like cannas, bananas, or cucumbers, catch the wind and eventually shred if the breeze is persistent.
Take a good look at the leave structure before purchasing if you have a windy space.
3. Opt for Plants with Strong Leaves and Short Stems
There are 3 plant structures at work to keep a make a leaf resilient to wind.
Strong, durable leaves that don’t shred are the first factor. Short, burly leaf stems, called petioles prevent excessive flapping, and sturdy leaf attachments, called axils that hold the leaf onto the plant stem help withstand wind.
Geraniums, are an example of a plant with all 3 factors.
4. Select Plants with Smaller Leaves or Needle-like Foliage
Since broad leaves seem to latch onto the wind, it reasons that small, thin leaves catch less of a breeze and will not tear as much as their broader counterparts.
Plants with these options include Petunias, Portulaca, and Marigolds.
5. Consider Shorter, Lower Growing Plants
When choosing resilient plants, consider their size and growth habits as well.
Tall plants are very vulnerable to the effects of wind, but medium sized and compact plants with a lower profile will experience less wind resistance because they are closer to the ground.
Choose shorter annuals, perennials, and vegetables that are less exposed.
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Garden Plant Care Tips to Mitigate the Effects of Wind
Here are some essential care tips to help you successfully navigate in-ground or raised-bed gardening in windy areas:
1. Provide Windbreaks in Your Garden
Creating windbreaks can help protect your garden from harsh winds. Windbreaks can be living, as in a hedge, or constructed, like a fence.
Planting a row of tall, dense shrubs or erecting a fence can act as a barrier and reduce the direct impact of wind on your plants.
For more tender and fragile plants susceptible to wind damage, consider placing them in sheltered areas or creating temporary windbreaks using materials like mesh or fabric to provide extra protection until they become more established.
Additionally, hedges, walls, or fences can create microclimates that offer sheltered areas for more delicate plants.
2. Water Regularly and Deeply
Windy conditions can cause plants to lose moisture more quickly.
Water your plants in windy areas deeply and regularly to compensate for any moisture loss caused by the wind.
Avoid shallow watering as it may not reach the plant’s roots effectively.
3. Mulch, Mulch, Mulch!
Applying a layer of mulch around your plants, whether in the ground, a raised bed, a planter, or a pot, can help retain moisture in the soil, protect the roots, reduce the drying effect of the wind, and diminish soil erosion.
Organic mulches like bark chips or compost also provide insulation from temperature fluctuations.
Related: What is Mulch? Making Gardening Magic with Mulch
4. Prune and Trim Regularly
Regular pruning and trimming are essential in windy areas to maintain your plants’ overall health and shape.
Removing dead or damaged branches, as well as any excessive growth, not only improves the plant’s appearance but also reduces the risk of more wind damage.
Thinning out dense clumps of foliage allows the wind to pass through the plant more efficiently and reduces the risk of damage.
Wash your tools in hot, soapy water before use to reduce the spread of infection.
5. Stake and Support Plants
To prevent your plants from toppling over or getting damaged by strong winds, staking and supporting them is helpful.
Use stakes, trellises, or cages to support taller plants and loosely tie them to prevent excessive swaying.
Stakes provide vertical support and prevent plants from bending or breaking under the force of the wind.
Choose sturdy stakes made of materials such as bamboo, metal, or wood that can withstand the elements. Place the stakes firmly into the ground, ensuring they are secure and stable.
For larger, bushier plants, consider using a support cage or trellis. These structures provide a sturdy framework for growing plants, offering additional support against strong winds. Choose cages or trellises with appropriate spacing between the bars or wires, allowing the plant to weave through and grow naturally.
Use soft garden twine, plant ties, or plant Velcro (hook & loop) tapes for tying plants secure to their support structures by gently looping the plant tie around the stem or main structure of the plant, being careful not to tie it too tightly to avoid constriction as the plant grows.
Regularly check the plant ties and adjust them to accommodate the plant’s development.
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Care Tips for Containers or Planters in Windy Spaces
Annual plants are commonly grown in planters, pots, containers, and hanging baskets. Strong gusts can easily topple over lightweight pots or cause damage to delicate plants.
Here are some tips for choosing containers to provide a stable environment for your plants to thrive.
Consider the Weight & Height of the Planter
Planter construction is instrumental in standing against wind gusts.
Heavy materials like ceramic, stone, or concrete are ideal for windy areas as they provide stability and prevent tipping. Additionally, these materials offer insulation, protecting the roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
If you prefer lighter materials such as plastic or resin, ensure they have a sturdy design with a broad base to prevent toppling.
Additional weight can be added to planters by partially filling them with gravel, sand, or rocks to provide extra stability and prevent them from being blown over.
Tall containers are easier for the wind to blow over, so shorter options with a lower center of gravity are recommended to minimize the risk of your plants flipping over during strong winds.
Check for Adequate Drainage
Double-check that the pot you’re considering has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging plants.
Excess water can weaken root systems and make plants more vulnerable to wind damage.
If the planter doesn’t have drainage holes, add some with a broad drill bit.
Examine How the Planter is Positioned in Your Gardening Space
Place your planted container strategically in your gardening space, whether in a small yard, balcony, patio, or large open yard, placing it out of the direct line of the prevailing winds.
Take advantage of natural windbreaks like fences, walls, or hedges to provide additional protection to your plants.
Keep Your Garden Steady in the Wind
To wrap things up, gardening in windy locations may seem daunting, but with the right strategies and plant selections, you can cultivate a vibrant and resilient garden that thrives despite the challenges of windy weather.
From understanding the effects of wind on your plants to implementing thoughtful nurturing techniques—such as utilizing windbreaks and opting for more wind-resistant varieties —you can transform your outdoor space into a flourishing garden.
Remember to be patient and observant, adapting your plant care routine to help them shine.
More to Explore
- Gardening in the Wind: 15+ Wind Resistant Annual Plants
- Gardening in the Wind: 10 Wind-Tolerant Perennials to Add to Your Garden
- 6 Ways to Care for your Garden in Hot, Dry Weather
- The Complete Guide to Raised Bed Gardening
- When to Plant a Successful Vegetable Garden in Alberta or any Other Zone 3-4 Growing Zone [+ Downloadable Chart]
- Home Garden Irrigation Options
- 5+ Ways to Create A Thriving and Pollinator-Safe Garden
- How to Water Your Garden During Wet Weather
© Sharon Wallish Murphy © Gardening with Sharon
