Wind shreds leaves, uproots and breaks plants and even demolishes garden structures. Wind combined with heavy rain chills and destroys leaves and growing tips of many plants. Unfortunately heavy winds and torrential rain are no strangers to our area, especially in winter. These winter conditions are usually the factors which decide if a plant can survive in West Cork. Heavy rain will also leach nutrients from the soil, leaving it deficient especially in nitrogen in Spring. Wind shelter is a must to improve conditions in the garden, and of course, in any associated habitation. The most damaging winds in the area usually stem from the southwest, although local terrain can sometimes modify this a little. Ideally several layers of wind shelter should exist on this side of the garden, and probaly a little less on north and east sides, where cold dehydrating wings can originate. The most effective wind shelter is open and twiggy, thick solid hedging can often be breeched by strong winds, although effective on north and eastern boundries. First defense against Atlantic gales could be windproof trees such as Sycamore, the second hawthorn and ideally a third of large ornamental shrubs. These defenses can make the garden considerably warmer and even reduce the damage done by torrential rain. Depending upon the underlaying rock, arrangements may be necessary to quickly conduct away surface water. Leaching of soil nutrients can be partially combated by incorporating decomposed organic matter in the soil and using mulches around plants; again a case of 'look after the soil and it will look after you'.