After seeing the effect of the wind in our location over the past years, we have decided to experiment with hedgerows. After some research, we settled on Texas privet for this purpose.
While I am not a big fan of privet, it makes a dense hedge when trimmed, grows 12-15 high, is very drought resistant, and grows very fast in moderately good soil. The bees like the flowers, and it makes a great nesting site for birds. It is also very inexpensive, so I won’t feel bad if we have to rip it out later.
Hedgerows can moderate wind considerably and have served farmers for centuries in Europe in areas that are unprotected from prevailing winds. The additional support they give to birds (important defenders of crops) and beneficial insects have also made them a critical part of coastal agriculture.
