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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: RenishawPhil on June 25, 2012, 07:58:27

Title: Worth making a wind break for another windy weekend coming up?
Post by: RenishawPhil on June 25, 2012, 07:58:27
After a nice warm week its going to be windy *again*, unbelievable...... looks like very low pressure etc etc 982 mb!

We are going away for a few days so don't wish to have to cover everything up, there we are just wondering if a wind break will help the sweetcorn and pumpkins?, don't want any more shredded leaves (covering them up certainly worked though)

How high would any wind break need to be or would it just be a waste of time?

Edit:

Just thought would debris netting work being stretched round like a skirt?

Title: Re: Worth making a wind break for another windy weekend coming up?
Post by: squeezyjohn on June 25, 2012, 09:52:04
Generally speaking a wind break sees an effect that is 10 times it's own height in a down-wind direction.  So if you put up a 2ft wind-break it has an effect 20ft away at ground level.

I would certainly do it if you get time - plants really thrive better out of strong winds.
Title: Re: Worth making a wind break for another windy weekend coming up?
Post by: Hazelb on June 25, 2012, 10:16:26
Quote from: squeezyjohn on June 25, 2012, 09:52:04
Generally speaking a wind break sees an effect that is 10 times it's own height in a down-wind direction.  So if you put up a 2ft wind-break it has an effect 20ft away at ground level.

I would certainly do it if you get time - plants really thrive better out of strong winds.

That's good advice, I might try a wind brake as my plot does sometimes seem to catch an evil crosswind!
Title: Re: Worth making a wind break for another windy weekend coming up?
Post by: Ellen K on June 25, 2012, 10:30:50
A wind break is great but it has to stay put in the wind.

Seen plants crushed by windbreaks that have come loose or become UFOs  :(

I've put one round a patch of tomatoes and it has helped.
Title: Re: Worth making a wind break for another windy weekend coming up?
Post by: strawberry1 on June 25, 2012, 20:03:49
I made windbreaks and they stayed put through gales. 1m wind/shade net from ebay and I cut approx 6` lengths and a channel sown down each side. Canes put through and a metal spike for making holes in the soil with a few pegs for the bottom. They haven`t budged and we get terrific winds here. I also made a couple of longer lengths and made a channel down the middle too, so they bend around corners, protecting the bean poles.
Title: Re: Worth making a wind break for another windy weekend coming up?
Post by: RenishawPhil on June 25, 2012, 21:24:01
Well its up .put debris netting over some metal mesh type fencing

Tis all secure. Hope it helps reduce some effects of the wind.

39mph gusts are expected.