Wind Breaks

Hi everyrone

So I am setting out my forest garden on a fairly exposed site.  But it is an allotment plot i.e. very small indeed.  3m x 12m

I know that windbreaks are supposed to provide 8 x the distance in protection, but my plot is only 3m wide.  So 3000mm / 8 = 375mm tall (1ft 3 inches)

However, isn't there a minimum height you should start with?  e.g 3ft tall.  

Surely if you have too small a windbreak the wind will just barrel over the top of it, or is this not so?

I reality I would make it at least 500-600mm i.e. 2ft tall, but still, I wonder how effective it would be.

I really can't go any higher than 600mm (2ft) because the width of the plot is so narrow, it would shade out most plants there.  

I think windbreaks are typically higher. Since the plot is 3m by 12m, perhaps a windbreak might not be the way to go.

I think that maybe  some protective plants to act as nurses or chaperones for the more sensitive plants might be a useful approach.

This is an example of a nurse plant relationship.



Maybe something similar could be done in a small plot

Thanks Dave

Hi Jambo it’s also possible to make a hedge of herb plants like sage thyme and rosemary. If you get sun that is. It doesn’t get two feet, maybe one and it will be tasty to keep it one foot anyway. I don’t think it will stop a blasting wind, but it will definitely help with most moderate wind speeds. Can also use mulch or plant dense to retain moisture.
What do you think of planting?

Maybe plant the sage on a small berm. Make it taller...


Rufus

Great ideas guys.  I was thinking along the lines of planting Elaeagnus Mulitflora Goumi but am open to whatever. Just trying to grab some knowledge on how tall to make it.  Or rather how short can I get way with and it still be effective.