Landscaping Ideas for a Windy Location

Living in a windy location is not just annoying when you want to read a newspaper outside or relax on your porch; it also can mean you pay more than necessary in heating costs. Homeowners could save as much as 25 percent on heating costs by installing landscaping that protects their homes from wind, according to a Colorado State University Extension website article. Options include planting trees and shrubs or building fences that will help to divert wind.

Ideally, you'll have time to observe the area before you add wind-blocking landscape features. That way, you can get a good sense of where the wind usually comes from and where the sun rests on your home's roof and outdoor areas during different times of the year. In its article, Colorado State University Extension suggests sketching the house and yard to scale. Include features such as windows, doors and outdoor living areas, and then mark the directions from which the wind blows and where drifting snow tends to accumulate. Winds tend to blow mostly from the north, northeast and west in many U.S. locations. So placing windbreaks or other features on those sides of your property may provide some relief.

A common practice is to plant rows of trees that provide a break from the wind -- hence the term "windbreaks." Deciding what types of trees to plant may depend on the amount of space you have in your yard. If you have a large lot or live in the country, your choices won't be as limited as those of a person with a small yard. As a general rule, trees give protection at a distance about eight to 10 times their height, according to the University of Illinois Extension's website. Keep a windbreak 50 or more feet from buildings to avoid snow piling up. Also, choose trees that will grow to an appropriate height for your location as well as trees that thrive in your climate.

A solid barrier may work for a small area where you want even more protection from wind. If you live in a coastal beach location, for example, you may want protection from its strong winds, but you may not want to block your beach view. In that situation, a plastic glass screen is useful, though it's typically one of the more expensive options for wind protection. In order to protect a patio or hot-tub area, you could build a fence. Colorado State University Extension states a fence with a basket-weave pattern is best to protect an area some distance from the fence and a solid fence is best to protect an area right next to the fence.

A third option is to plant evergreen shrubs as a privacy fence as well as a windbreak. In a hot or humid climate, this may be a better option because it allows privacy and a light amount of wind to keep the location cool. If you have an especially small yard, using evergreen shrubs may be more feasible than using tall evergreen trees.