Beautiful & Functional: Garden Design for Fire Safety

Designing and landscaping a garden offers an exciting opportunity to get creative. There’s a lot to consider when creating an ideal garden design, you’ll need to factor in climate, space, shapes, colours and which plants grow well together. Fire safety is rarely a consideration, however some thoughtful garden design and construction could make a difference in reducing the spread of a fire. 

Designing for fire safety

Living in Australia means being conscious of bushfires and learning to adapt and prepare accordingly. This includes designing your garden to help reduce the spread of fires. While many bushfires are unpredictable and there are no guarantees in protecting your home, clever design can help reduce flammable materials and other hazards surrounding your home. 

According to the Country Fire Authority, a good fire garden design should include:

  • Suitable plants & trees
  • A defendable and accessible space 
  • A layout which breaks up fuel continuity 
  • No flammable materials around buildings

Plant choice

As plants are the primary fuel for bushfires, household gardens can quickly feed the flames and spread the fire rapidly. Plants differ in how they ignite and how rapidly they burn so selecting fire retardant plants can make a difference. Plants high in moisture are usually recommended, including aloe, pigface, succulents, and citrus tree species. Before selecting your plants, have a chat to your local council about what trees and plants are recommended for fire safety. 

Accessible paths

While you may want your garden to be completely natural and bursting with plants, it’s essential to include paved or concrete paths. These paths can provide access to and from your property during a bushfire, especially crucial during an emergency when you need to make a quick getaway. 

Garden structure

The structure of your garden can make a considerable difference to how a fire spreads.  Depending on the slope and location of your garden and plants, a fire will respond differently. A general rule is the steeper the slope, the faster a fire will move. You can reduce the speed a fire travels through your sloped garden by building retaining walls. 

Avoid flammable materials close to structures

While losing your garden to a fire is upsetting, a house or shed being destroyed is devastating. Avoid planting flammable trees, plants and other materials close to your home. It’s recommended to plant your garden at least 5 metres away from your home. Ensure that no trees overhang or could easily fall onto your home.

Garden fire safety tips

  • Perform regular maintenance on your garden. Remove any dead branches, leaves or other garden material. Remove any dead or diseased trees, stumps and plants.
  • Keep a routine watering schedule and monitor moisture levels
  • Use mulch to maintain moisture 
  • Consult your local council on fire safety and garden regulations  

At Jim’s Trees & Stump Removal, we are trained arborists. We can assess your garden and recommend and perform the removal of any dead, diseased or potentially dangerous trees. Contact us today!

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