Garden Design Ideas for Fire-Prone Areas

We all know that wildfires are an increasingly common concern in many parts of the world, even in areas where they have not been an issue before. You may be considering fire safety for the first time or looking to future-proof your property in areas where wildfires are becoming more common. Either way, as a permaculture garden designer, I have created plans for a variety of climates and considerations, and today I thought I would share with you my simple design tips for gardens in fire-prone areas.

In arid or semi-arid zones, ensuring that your garden is well-irrigated is key, since dry and thirsty plants will burn more easily. Make sure that you are harvesting rainwater when it falls, and that you have installed effective and water-wise irrigation systems. One example is drip lines, which use less water than sprinkler systems and use it more efficiently. A low-water irrigation system can make a real difference in lower-rainfall areas.

If possible, having a garden pond or other standing body of water on your property is a good idea. Such a feature can be carefully designed to mitigate against wildfires. It should be positioned between your home and the prevailing wind direction or the direction from which wildfires are most likely to come. 

Ponds have a wide range of benefits, and adding water to the landscape is an excellent idea. Think about topography and environmental factors when trying to decide where such a pond or water feature should go.

To help keep your home safe, it is important to ensure that no large trees or shrubs (especially those most flammable) are positioned too close.

Clearing brush and dead plant material zealously within this fire break zone is also a good idea. Make sure that tree branches