Effortless Ways To Enhance Your Landscape’s Fire Resistance
Our hearts go out to not only to each of our clients who lost their homes in the recent fires, but to all impacted by this unimaginable tragedy. If you have lost your home and are ready to begin redesigning or rebuilding your landscape, or simply have questions that we can answer for you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our design consultations are always free of charge, and we are offering a discount on all design plans for those who were affected.
Creating fire resistant landscapes in the Southern California region is on everyone’s mind right now. While landscaping alone cannot completely protect your home, making a few smart choices can significantly reduce your home's vulnerability to fires while also creating a beautiful and functional landscape.
Here are a few very easy ways to improve your property’s fire resilience:
1. PLANT SELECTION AND PLACEMENT
Choosing fire-resistant plants is a key factor in controlling the spread of fire on your property. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has compiled a comprehensive list of fire-resistant plants and trees, which we’ve included a link to below. Many of the plants in our Eco Landscape “go-to” plant palette, such as agaves, aloes, yuccas, succulents, lavender, pittosporum, olive trees, strawberry trees, citrus trees, and Australian Tea Trees, are featured on this list. Depending on your location's level of fire risk, Eco Landscape Design & Build can help you select plants that are both fire resistant and will complement your existing landscape.
In addition to choosing the right plants, the layout of your garden plays a crucial role in preventing fire from spreading to your home. To minimize risk, avoid planting too densely near or against your structure, and be mindful of creating “fuel ladders” by planting shrubs beneath trees which would allow smaller plants to ignite larger trees above them.
https://fire.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Plant-Selection-Guidelines_10.2021.pdf
2. CONSISTENT MAINTENANCE FOR YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS
Regular trimming and maintenance for all of the trees and shrubs in your landscape is essential for maintaining their health and reducing their ability to catch fire. It’s crucial to remove dead or dying trees, branches and plants that could act as fuel in the event of a fire. This also includes clearing away fallen leaves, pine needles, and other yard debris that are highly flammable and will contribute to the spread of fire. To further protect your home, it's recommended to trim tree branches so they are at least 10 feet away from structures, preventing fire from transferring from trees to your home. Additionally, creating vertical space between tree branches and the ground helps to avoid fuel ladders, a minimum of 10’ is recommended.
3. USE NON-COMBUSTIBLE GROUND COVER - PEBBLE INSTEAD OF WOOD CHIP MULCH
Organic mulches such as wood chips or bark are highly flammable and can easily catch fire, often acting as “kindling” that encourages the flames to spread rapidly across your property. This is especially dangerous when wood chip or bark mulch is placed in high-risk areas, such as along walkways leading up to your front door. To reduce the risk of fire spreading through your landscape, it is recommended to use non-combustible mulch materials such as pebble, gravel, crushed stone or decomposed granite. Pebble has many other great qualities and is most often used for the landscapes we design and build. Unlike organic mulch, pebbles don’t blow away and don’t require frequent replenishing. They come in many colors and sizes, and offer a clean, finished and modern look that enhances the overall aesthetic of your landscape.
4. WATER YOUR LANDSCAPE REGULARLY
Keeping your plants and lawns healthy and hydrated, especially during hot months is another important focus. Dry, brittle plants are more likely to ignite, so a well-watered landscape will be more resilient in the event of a fire. Choosing plants from the above suggested plant list is also helpful as these plants are more fire resistant. Installing a smart irrigation system that can automatically water during dry spells is highly recommended and always used for the gardens we install. A smart irrigation system uses advanced technology to monitor weather patterns, soil moisture, and other factors to automatically deliver the optimal amount of water to your landscape. This ensures that your garden or lawn will get the right amount of water, both reducing the chance your garden will become dry and brittle, as well as reducing over watering and preventing water waste.
With thoughtful planning and attention to detail, carefully managing plant selections, choosing fire-resistant materials, and staying proactive with regular maintenance, you can achieve an outdoor space that both enhances the beauty of your property while providing long-term protection against fire risks.
Please visit our Contact page to schedule a free consultation with Eco Landscape Design & Build. We’d love to work with you!