Part 4
In this weeks blog you will find some simple, practical examples of how you can apply the design principles outlined in last weeks blog, to some typical garden styles....
HILLS GARDEN
The hills of Western Australia generally provide excellent conditions to grow gardens. The conditions allow for a wide range of plants to be grown successfully.
As a result, hills gardens often display great diversity and layers of vegetation. Many gardens are located adjacent to national parks and native forests that are highly flammable. The local site and context should be taken into careful consideration with each design.
This property is nestled into the side of a hill with national park beyond. This property required substantial retaining walls, which in turn would help to create barrier to a fire coming through.
COASTAL GARDEN
Strong seasonal winds, coupled with salt can make establishing and maintain a coastal garden particularly challenging. Along with sandy soils with poor water and nutrient retention, the addition of organic matter and mulches is critical to garden success. Creating microclimates is the key to a successful coastal garden, by providing shelter and screening to maximise these problems.
This house, very close to the beach is subject to constant high winds. Any fire coming off the dunes needs to be quickly stopped before it consumes the house.
SUBURBAN GARDEN
Recently, severe fires have moved beyond the rural fringe and into our suburbs, especially as many of our new suburbs are creeping into the outskirts of the city.
The planning principles from last weeks blog, should be followed as closely as possible, given the limited suburban space you may have.
Luckily for this house, they have quite a substantial sized block, compared to a lot of the new suburbs being currently built. However, the same principles apply.
RURAL GARDEN
Many rural gardens are on large farming properties and the house and garden location should be considered carefully, along with the placement of other structures, elements and services.
Paddocks surrounding a house can quickly dry out over summer causing fire to spread rapidly. The defendable space around the house is the most critical component, along with good planting and design strategies.
Also note that the house position is relatively close to the roadway and the driveways give fire trucks and other services plenty of room to access the property. This property also has a 5m wide fire break around its entire perimeter. The neighbours each have the same, therefore creating a good sized 10m fire break around their properties.
In next weeks blog we will look at what plants you can put in your garden that will reduce the chance of ignition, or lower the intensity of the blaze.