Re: MEDIT-PLANTS digest 3656

Hi Janet,

I (well, my citrus trees to be precise) suffer from pretty much the same problem.  In fact, I'm in Puglia, Italy, so it's maybe the same cold wind from the north that my trees don't like.  I'm planning on building a courtyard of dry-stone walls that I can run fleece across each winter, but in the meantime (it won't be in 2009, or maybe 2010 before I have time to get on to that) I've grown Opuntia ficus-indica around the outside of where the walls will go, and they seem to be helping.

Just an idea.

Jeremy

From: "Janet Ibbotson" <s*@britishcopyright.org
Date: 29 December 2008 09:57:04 GMT+01:00
To: <m*@ucdavis.edu
Subject: Planting for windy sites


Having spent Christmas at my new home in Skopelos, Greece (steep South East facing terraces on the North East coast), I realise that my vision of citrus etc near the house is merely that, as the North Wind at this time of year, with some contributions from the South Wind, make the area round the house itself too exposed (I guess my ideal garden has been sacrificed to take full advantage of the views).  
 
So now I need some advice on how to make the best of things.  I've read all about windbreaks, terraced and dry areas but my windbreaks are in the future and I need some immediate cover in the area, something that will give a more lush, protected sort of feeling to the house than the natural planting I have, and will continue to use, on the rest of the site i.e. olive, almond, arbutus, umbrella pine, spartium, etc.
 
Suggestions and lists would be very welcome.  Also tips on how best to establish such plants in the teeth of a gale force wind.
 
Happy New Year to you all.
Janet Ibbotson
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