Building and planting in an exposed coastal garden

Coastal Gardens: Wind, Salt and Exposure

Gardens along the Thames Estuary deal with steady wind and salt-carrying air. Both shorten the life of standard fixings and scorch soft foliage in exposed positions.

Specification matters more here than in an inland garden.

Gates and Fencing work by Gardenscape in Essex

Filter the wind, don't block it

A solid barrier creates turbulence and eddies that can damage planting behind it. Semi-permeable screening — hit-and-miss fencing, slatted panels or a hedge — slows wind over a much greater distance.

That also reduces the load on the fence itself in a gale.

Fixings and materials

Salt air accelerates corrosion. Stainless or heavily galvanised fixings, powder-coated metalwork and composite boards all last considerably longer than standard alternatives near the seafront.

Timber needs a robust treatment and regular attention on the windward side.

Planting and surfaces

Tough, small-leaved and silver-foliaged species handle salt spray far better than large soft leaves. Shelter planting on the windward edge protects everything behind it.

Free-draining surfaces cope well with driving rain, and artificial grass avoids the scorching that turf suffers in exposed coastal gardens.

Frequently asked questions

Does salt reach gardens away from the seafront?

Salt-laden wind carries inland, though the effect reduces quickly with distance and shelter.

What fencing lasts longest by the coast?

Composite or well-treated timber with corrosion-resistant fixings, in a wind-permeable design.

Will artificial grass cope with coastal wind?

Yes, provided the perimeter is properly restrained and fixed.

Exposed coastal garden?

We specify materials and shelter that survive estuary conditions.

Get coastal advice Call 07535 661664