Xeriscaping. Stop the Wind. Wind and drought go hand in hand. That’s because wind causes plants to lose moisture from their leaves, forcing them to pull up additional sources of water from the soil. Plus, strong winds can even blow your topsoil away. That’s why, if you live in a windy location, it’s a good idea to add a fence or hedge to protect your landscape. In this exposed California garden, the plants are protected from drying winds by a 6-foot-tall privacy fence.