Landscaping for Bushfire: Garden Design and Plant Selection
Landscaping for bushfire is much the same as any type of gardening except there are a few more planning steps. It involves planning, designing, planting and managing the area around your house.
Careful design and plant selection can reduce the effects of direct flame contact and radiant heat on a house during a bushfire.
Landscaping for Bushfire: Garden Design and Plant Selection - large files - pdf 5764k | Text version - doc 179k provides information on garden design and plant selection which can be used for new or existing gardens in high bushfire risk areas.
Use the Plant Selection Key to help choose plants for a garden in a high bushfire risk area.
Garden design principles
When designing a new or modifying an existing garden you need to consider the placement of garden beds, trees and other flammable objects.
You should aim to keep the area around your house and other structures (such as carports and sheds) free of plants that can easily catch fire and then ignite the buildings.
The location, type and ongoing maintenance of vegetation within a property have a significant impact on the bushfire risk to any house.
Garden design should incorporate the following four principles:
- Create defendable space
- Remove flammable objects from around the house
- Break up fuel continuity (keep plants separate)
- Carefully select, locate and maintain trees.
Choosing suitable plants
Although all plants will burn under the right conditions, some plants are less likely to catch fire than others. Choosing plants with low flammability and locating them correctly will help reduce bushfire risk within a garden.
Use the Plant Selection Key to help choose plants for your garden.
The Plant Selection Key in Landscaping for Bushfire allows you to determine the flammability rating of any plant.
Make a list of the plants you want to use in your garden and work through the questions in the Key to find out the flammability rating of each plant.
Remember: While a well planned garden is important, it is only one aspect of preparing for bushfire. A holistic approach to bushfire preparation is critical. Appropriate water supply, access, house construction and general property maintenance are all important. On Severe, Code Red and Extreme days, leaving early is always the safest option.
