The West Coast generally sees its fair share of wildfires throughout the summer months, and while Snohomish County might see less than other areas, that doesn’t mean that being prepared isn’t still a smart option. One way you can help protect your home is by incorporating fire safe landscaping. When landscaping your yard, it is important to keep your zones in mind, by breaking your yard into zones 1-3, you can effectively and safely landscape your home to be both beautiful and safe.
Understanding Fire Safe Landscaping Zones
There are generally three different zones that are incorporated into fire safe landscaping, zones 1-3 and understanding what these zones mean is a great way to prepare your landscaping for being more fire resistant.
Zone 1
Zone 1 refers to the border around your home’s structure. Specifically, 0-5 feet surrounding structures. Zone 1 should always be free of flammable materials and is best suited for non-living landscaping such as gravel, stone or concrete. Avoid plants or if you want to incorporate living features opt for succulents as they are more fire resistant than other options.
Zone 2
Zone 2 refers to the spaces that encompass 5-30 feet of your home’s surroundings. This area can be landscaped with living plants, however, ensure that the area is well maintained and if possible, try to use fire-resistant shrubs and groundcovers. If you incorporate trees and grass into this area, ensure your grass is cut regularly and trees are pruned to avoid a higher fire risk.
Zone 3
Zone 3 encompasses 30-100 feet of your home’s surroundings. While it’s easy to think that these spaces are “safe” to landscape in any way, this isn’t true as this can be the area where wildfires are fueled. Planting native plants is a great way to help easily protect your property. Make sure that you don’t ignore zone 3 and you are still thinning and pruning trees, removing dead vegetation and maintaining the landscaping effectively.
When it comes to landscaping and trying to incorporate fire-resistant landscaping around your home, you may be overwhelmed with where to start. Luckily with the help of a professional landscaping company like FirstFruits Landscaping you can rest assured, your home will not only look beautiful but also be safe. For the DIY’ers out there, here are some great plants to start with as you make the shift to fire-resistant landscaping:
- Lavender
- Salvia
- Agave
- Red yucca
- California lilac (Ceanothus)
- Manzanita (some low-growing varieties)
- Rockrose
From regenerative landscaping to fire safe landscaping, many homeowners and business owners are working on creating landscaping that benefits the planet. Understanding the zones around your home and what to plant in each area is a great place to start in creating a stunning, and safe landscape while boosting your curb appeal. With incredible first responders and a little help from the public, we can ensure that our county stays both beautiful and safe. If you’re ready to incorporate fire safe landscaping into your home or business, contact us today to get started!