Garden Beside a Garage: Wall Heat plus Dry Soil
A garden beside a garage sits in a warm pocket. Oregon State University Extension notes a south or west facing wall can raise the heat load, especially for plants nearest the wall, so plant choice plus watering both matter.
The short answer
Plan for heat plus dry soil. Oregon State notes south or west walls add heat, plus Mediterranean climate plants often handle it well. LSU AgCenter advises beds 6 to 9 feet wide that slope away from the building. Colorado State notes drip irrigation suits narrow areas.
Why is the bed by a garage so hot and dry?
Utah State University Extension notes reflected plus retained heat radiates from buildings, plus wind shelter leaves the nearest plants a few degrees warmer. Oregon State notes rain on sloped areas is less likely to soak in.
Which plants suit a garage wall bed?
Oregon State notes Mediterranean climate plants can enjoy the extra heat near a wall plus often do better there than many common plants. LSU puts large shrubs 5 to 6 feet from the building plus smaller ones at least 3 to 4 feet away.
| Factor | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Wall aspect | South or west adds heat | Oregon State |
| Bed width | 6 to 9 feet | LSU AgCenter |
| Slope | 6 inches per 10 feet away | LSU AgCenter |
| Large shrubs | 5 to 6 feet from wall | LSU AgCenter |
| Watering | Drip for narrow strips | Colorado State |
Source: Oregon State, LSU AgCenter plus Colorado State Extension.
How do you water a rain shadow strip?
Colorado State University Extension notes odd shaped plus narrow areas are easily watered with drip. Drip tops 90 percent efficiency, plus its slow rate soaks in before runoff. Emitters must sit where water reaches the roots.
How to: step by step
- Check which way the wall faces.
- Slope the bed away from the wall.
- Pick heat tolerant plants.
- Set shrubs back from the wall.
- Lay drip line along the bed.
- Place emitters near each root zone.
Troubleshooting
Plants scorched by the wall: too close. Oregon State notes heat is highest nearest the wall.
Water running off: sloped bed. Colorado State notes drip soaks in before runoff.
Small roots: too few emitters. Colorado State notes this limits root growth.
For site planning see garden microclimates for cannabis plus planning an outdoor cannabis garden layout. Read mulch for cannabis plus cannabis heat stress. Kind Seed Co also stocks cannabis seeds.
Sources
- Designing and planting foundation beds, LSU AgCenter
- Drought tolerant landscape plants for western Oregon: site selection and preparation, Oregon State University Extension
- Extending the garden season, Utah State University Extension
- Drip irrigation for home gardens, Colorado State University Extension
FAQ
Which side of a garage is hottest?
Oregon State University Extension notes south or west facing walls increase the heat load, plus slopes facing south or west are warmer.
How wide should the bed be?
LSU AgCenter advises beds 6 to 9 feet wide from the building to the outer edge.
How far from a wall should plants go?
LSU AgCenter advises large shrubs 5 to 6 feet away plus smaller shrubs at least 3 to 4 feet away.
Does a garage wall help plants in spring?
Utah State University Extension notes the south plus west sides of buildings are common sites for season extension because of reflected heat.
Why use drip in a narrow bed?
Colorado State University Extension notes narrow areas are easily watered with drip, plus its slow rate soaks in before runoff.
