thanks again momol :-)
your friend is absolutely right about the weather, however, having got a a garden to play with (finally), I'm absolutely determined to succeed. I have already checked some windbreak netting online, which should do the job.

My garden is actually non-existing at the moment as the construction is just about to finish. Should have everything landscaped and ready to go by mid-June, will most definitely post "before" and "after" pictures