I have always been one of those people who loves to create a warm, inviting atmosphere for others, which is why I started looking at landscaping design in the first place. It was incredible to me to see how much of a difference I was able to make by adding a few new plants, and after that first project, I wanted to help other people. I started volunteering to help friends and neighbors do their landscaping, and after a few months, I had developed quite a following. This blog is all about creating a warm, inviting yard through smart landscaping and an eye for detail.
Wildfire activity can be devastating to area homes. Fortunately, landscaping strategies exist to minimize fire damage in homes situated in a wildfire's path. Following are just three of the many ways that you can increase the fire resistance of your home's exterior without sacrificing good looks and functionality.
Avoid Mass Plantings of Juniper
Mass plantings of low-growing juniper has been a popular landscaping choice for decades. They're low maintenance, long lasting, and relatively inexpensive, and they provide green coverage all year round. They also provide a perfect pathway for wildfire activity to quickly spread and grow. Because they have highly flammable oils and pitch, they provide the proverbial fuel for the fire, and because they're grown massed together, fire swiftly travels through them, getting bigger all the time. By the time it reaches your home, it may be unstoppable.
Those seeking low-maintenance landscaping options that are nonetheless attractive should consider having rock gardens installed. The rocks provide natural firebreaks, and traditional rock garden plants such as succulents don't contain flammable fluids but do provide year-round greenery. In fact, the high levels of moisture contained in their leaves can act as a deterrent to fire. If you live in an area where wildfires are common, consider asking your landscape design expert about installing a firebreak around your home comprised of succulents.
Create an Immediate Perimeter of Concrete
Creating concrete pathways around your home that extend about six feet out from your exterior walls provides an excellent strategy for minimizing the risk of fire danger. However, many people still consider concrete to be an ugly material with an industrial appearance and don't like the idea of it surrounding their home, but today's concrete installations can be stamped, painted, textured, and otherwise treated in a variety of ways designed to provide them with an attractive, appealing appearance. Keep in mind that landscape designers work with all aspects of exterior design, including exterior walkways and other hardscaping, so be sure to ask your local design professional about creating a defensible space using concrete.
Keep Your Overhanging Trees Trimmed
Mature landscaping gives any yard a gracious appearance, but you should always keep those trees trimmed back so they won't overhang your roof. Because fire tends to travel upwards, it can quickly climb trees and reach your roof from overhanging branches. Regularly scheduled landscape maintenance that includes keeping trees trimmed helps prevent against the possibility of fire reaching the roof of your home.
For more information about landscape design in your area, reach out to professionals like ProTurf.
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