November: Plant Placement and Spacing in a Fire Smart Landscape

November is the time to turn off irrigation systems for the winter rainy season and reflect on the past growing season. Consider whether your plants received proper watering and plan any needed updates to your irrigation system or consider replacements with more drought-tolerant plants. Drought stressed and dry landscape plants easily ignite and create a ready path for fire spread. The stressed plants are also more vulnerable to pests and diseases. 

When replanting, choose plants that match your watering limitations and maintenance schedule, and be mindful of fire-smart spacing. Select low-maintenance plants so it’s easier to keep up with pruning needs and cleanup of leaf and plant debris (fuel for wildfire).

Plant spacing plays a key role in creating a fire-smart garden. Group plants in islands separated by non-combustible materials such as pebbles, decomposed granite, or flagstone pathways to help slow or stop fire spread. Maintain vertical separation between shrubs and trees—flames can reach three times a plant’s height. For fire-safe clearance, limb trees 6–10 feet above the ground or about one-third of their height, and avoid planting tall shrubs beneath them.

Enhance both aesthetics and safety by using seating areas, boulders, or dry creek beds as natural fire breaks and visual focal points. Replace continuous hedges, which create unbroken fuel for fire, with staggered plantings or by strategically placing shrubs in front of windows or seating areas (outside of zone zero) to maintain privacy. Berms can also add visual interest, privacy, and soil benefits.

On slopes, increase spacing between trees and shrubs as the slope steepens to reduce fire spread and improve plant health.

By thoughtfully selecting and spacing plants, you can create a landscape that is not only more resilient to wildfire but also beautiful, earth-friendly, and easier to maintain year-round.

• https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-marin-master-gardeners/documents/november-plant-spacing-fire-smart-landscape

Photo Credit: LaMar