Rolls of wind break netting are a low cost way to reduce wind conditions in your garden & make your garden more pleasant for both you and your plants. Rolls come in various lengths, heights & colours and are most commonly used along boundary fencing to reduce wind & protect young hedging from wind chill & wind damage.
One down side to wind break netting is that it needs to be secured to a fixed structure, i.e. a post & rail fence, security fencing, or other structure. If you do not have an existing fence then a basic structure should be built to ensure your wind break netting remains securely in place for many years. If done correctly your wind break netting will offer wind protection & shelter & improve your gardens micro-climate & growing conditions.
A basic structure for wind break includes both timber posts & high tensile wire. The height of the timber posts will depend on the height of your wind block
Posts for Wind Break Netting
• 1 Metre High Wind Block: 1.3m posts (4ft posts)
• 1.5 Metre High Wind Block: 1.8m Posts (6ft Posts)
• 2 Metre High Wind Block: 2.4m high Posts (8ft Posts)
The posts should be 3” in diameter (75mm)
The spacing of the posts is of course very important. The closer the posts the more secure the wind block will be, also the less likely that the wind break netting will droop in the centre. By clever use of high tensile wire you can also space the posts out a bit while ensuring a neat & secure netting
Spacing of Your Posts
• 1 Metre High Wind Block: Posts should be 2m apart
• 1.5 Metre High Wind Block: Posts should be 1.5m apart
• 2 Metre High Wind Block: Posts should be 1.5m apart
Posts can be set in a dry sand & cement foundation. Dig out foundation holes 1 ½ foot deep and approx. 1 foot wide. Place the posts inside the hole & back fill with a wet mix of sand & cement at a 4:1 ratio. Have a few loose rocks handy to prop up & support the posts in place.
At this point you need to ensure the posts are perfectly vertical & plump. Use a spirit level to ensure posts are straight. Back fill the concrete mix & tap down into place further strengthening the foundations. Continue along all posts & then allow the posts to set over night
Galvanised Wire for Wind Break Netting
Run a length of galvanised wire along the length of the timber posts. The wire can be secured at one end and then run though vine eye screws positioned along of the top of each post. Pull the wire tight at the opposite end using a tensioning ratchet strap.
The garden wind break netting is then fixed to the timber posts using U staples & is also fixed to the wire using cable ties. The end result will be a tense & secure wind break which will stand the test of time whilst looking neat & tidy and offering year round wind protection & shelter for your garden & plants