Windbreaks

It's that time of year again; Spring!  What a wonderful time.  We are definitely excited about the warmer weather and watching everything green up.  We actually have received a little moisture lately and are sitting a lot better than this same time last year. 

With spring comes wind.  This year, we are planting a windbreak to  provide a little more protection from the elements.  You have probably heard the saying about timing of planting a tree; "the best time was 20 years ago, the second best time is now".

The windbreak actually contains quite a variety of shrubs.  Some of the shrubs are not technically valued for their windbreak potential as much as for their dual role for wildlife, or pollinator, habitat.  Being Organic, the flowering shrubs are used to attract beneficial insects to the area and also lure other pests away from the vegetable garden area. 

Types of shrubs planted include:  Eastern Red Cedar, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Skunkbush Sumac, Sand cherry, Lilac, and Chokecherry.

Along with the trees, we also included the practice of adding a weed barrier and microirrigation.  I debated whether I needed weed barrier since there was a good grass stand present?  I may have been able to get by without it, but in the end, I figure I will not need to go out and pull weeds, or grasses, that may try to out compete the trees since grazing will not be taking place in the windbreak. 

Microirrigation is supplied by a 3/4" drip line.  The emitters used are rated at 2 gallons/hour and are placed one per tree. 

Rabbits can be quite a pest and do a lot of damage to the tender bark of young trees in a very short time.  Therefore, we placed rabbit guards around the deciduous shrubs.  Hoping the evergreens will not be affected.