Wind and Heat in Desert Gardens
Never Underestimate the Amount of Damage that Can Occur
Heat and wind can cause significant damage to desert garden plants.
Wind and heat increase evaporation in plants, which, of course, causes plants to lose water more rapidly than they normally would.
Since water is a precious commodity in desert gardens, wind and heat are natural enemies to plants. Wind can cause physical damage to plants as well.
Desert gardeners can solve many of the problems caused by wind and heat by creating artificial microclimates in their gardens.
Reduce the effect of desiccating winds by planting a windbreak. Plant tall trees, shorter trees, under story plants and shrubs of differing heights. Alternatively, use a building or solid fence as a windbreak.
How much of your garden can a windbreak protect? As a rule of thumb, an area two and a half times the height of the plant is protected.
A windbreak can also have drawbacks. It may block light form plants. Plants in a windbreak may also sap water and nutrients from other plants. If you are thinking about a windbreak, weigh all the pros and cons before you make a final decision.
Shade
Most heat in desert gardens comes from the sun. In desert and arid areas, much cloud cover is rare. Higher concentrations of UV light can also damage plants. Heat can be reduced by shading, either by using living plants (trees, tall shrubs) or non-living devices (pergolas, trellises and trestles), shade from buildings or solid fences, or even from hills or other natural formations. In addition, “shade” covers, solid, translucent covers or screened covers can be placed over plants to reduce heat damage.
Many covers are available commercially, and many are suitable for gardening as opposed to large crop production.
Desert gardeners should remember though that shade lowers yield from plants, lessens flower development and lowers chlorophyll production. Dappled shade, or even intermittent shade (from slender trees or lightly leafed trees) can reduce heat and help the plant retain moisture.
The most important thing a desert gardener can do to lessen the effects of heat and increase moisture retention is mulch. Mulch helps keep the soil moist and keeps the soil at a more constant temperature. It also helps increase the organic content of the soil, attracting desirable bacteria and larger animals like earthworms, arthropods and other invertebrates.
Mulch also encourages root growth, helping plants increase their water-intake capabilities, and discourages weed growth. Weeds compete with desirable plants for water and nutrients.
There are many materials, which can be used for mulch.
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