veg patch

[lizzydigthepots]

Hi everyone
I need some good advice on growing veg. I have recently moved. My location is on the scotish borders. My garden is about 40ft by 20 ft. The problem is my location i am right on top of a cliff facing out to the north sea my garden is north to south facing. The west and east winds dry or burn any young plants: . So what i am looking at is shelter before i start growing anything.

I would appreciate any advice

[Hilary B]

The only thing that REALLY protected crops from the weather in Orkney (similar location, but even further north) was a 3ft dry-stone wall, but some kinds of plastic-mesh windbreak helped a bit. Crops which don't get noticeable above ground until May, and are harvested by September, or root veg, are the only sure thing, but there are tricks. Get things started indoors (what are windowsills for?) and find out which areas are least windy (near buildings, unless you hace a wind-tunnel effect).

[Kristen]

If you are going to build a wall how about a crinkle crankle wall? If it faces South you can use the concave South facing bits for things that are less hardy

[Two_Sheds]

I know it doesn't look nice, but this will protect your crops a bit: wind break scaffold netting, debri, debris 2mtr x 50mtr on eBay, also, Scaffolding Ladders, Building Materials Supplies, Business, Office Industrial (end time 08-Jul-08 08:06:04 BST)

wind breaks need to be about 50% permeable (right term?) to diffuse the wind ... solid barriers just create turbulence (right term?)

[Two_Sheds]

Lizzy, you can also make sure you stake/support everything really well, and grow short varieties (like Sutton broad bean) as opposed to tall ones, which the wind will blow over

[Hilary B]

I know it doesn't look nice, but this will protect your crops a bit: wind break scaffold netting, debri, debris 2mtr x 50mtr on eBay, also, Scaffolding Ladders, Building Materials Supplies, Business, Office Industrial (end time 08-Jul-08 08:06:04 BST)

wind breaks need to be about 50% permeable (right term?) to diffuse the wind ... solid barriers just create turbulence (right term?)

yep, that is why DRY STONE walls are quite good. Not 50% permeable, but enough to help a lot.

[Hilary B]

Lizzy, you can also make sure you stake/support everything really well, and grow short varieties (like Sutton broad bean) as opposed to tall ones, which the wind will blow over

The wind off the Atlantic doesn't just knock plants over, it 'scorches' as well. I have seen stinging nettles feeling sorry for themselves, with blackened leaves, after an Atlantic equinoctal wind!