The basics

Pros and cons

For gardeners there are advantages to having a garden near the coast. Temperatures are generally more amiable near the coast as the relatively warm sea mass reduces the risk of frost. But there are problems to contend with - salt-laden gale-force winds, bright sunlight, drought and often less than ideal soil conditions.

Generally, the closer you are to the sea the more limited the plant range but there's still plenty to choose from - trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals, both flowers and foliage. You may not be able to grow azaleas and Japanese maples but you can still have an attractive garden.

Dealing with salt

Gales can carry salt several hundred metres inland. Most of the plants mentioned here can cope with some salt, but occasionally a storm can dump enough salt to burn severely the foliage of even tolerant plants. This can happen when there's continuous wind with no rain. You can reduce the risk of damage by hosing the foliage. If your windows are coated with salt, your garden could probably do with a wash-down too.

Lawn

It's difficult to have a good lawn near the coast unless you're willing to provide an endless supply of water. Buffalo grass and kikuyu are tough hard-wearing grasses that do well in warmer areas. You can't buy them; they generally just turn up as "weeds" in existing lawns. Be warned that buffalo grass can spread, however.

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit trees like olives and feijoas are tolerant of some wind, but citrus and most others need good shelter and regular water to do well. In some areas lack of winter chilling and perhaps a shortage of bees for pollination could result in poor crops from pip and stone fruit varieties. You can grow most vegetables, though you'll probably have to apply plenty of organic matter, fertiliser and water to get good results. One advantage of being near the coast is that fresh winds and salty air can reduce the chances of pest and diseases compared to humid inland areas.