Photo Credit: Pexels (CCO Licence)
Storms can wreak havoc to our gardens. However, by taking protective measures against storms, you can mitigate the damage.
Below are a few different measures worth taking to protect your garden from storms.
Invest in strong fencing
Flimsy fencing can be easily torn apart in a storm. On top of leaving you with a great big hole in your fence, a loose fence panel could cause damage to plants or other items in your garden.
Consider investing in some weatherproof fencing that can withstand strong winds. Metal fencing is one option to consider if you live in a very blustery area. Composite fencing is another good option if you want something durable but softer in appearance in tone with timber. A benefit of composite fencing is that it also won’t rot or fade.
Remove unstable trees
Trees that are dead or heavily leaning could be a huge risk. Such a tree could be uprooted by strong winds. When it falls, it could cause huge damage to any plants or objects in the area. Such a tree could be particularly dangerous if it’s near your house.
You should hire an arborist to inspect any trees that seem unstable. An arborist will be able to tell whether or not it is worth removing a tree.
Cover up fragile plants
Delicate flowers and shrubs could be destroyed by high winds. Even heavy rain could damage certain fragile plants.
If there’s a high risk of a storm, it could be worth covering up any fragile plants. Use a clear material that lets light in but blocks out wind and rain – this could be a clear plastic tent or glass cloche. Growing such plants in a greenhouse can be another way to protect them from damage.
Store loose items away
Loose garden items like light furniture, ornaments, children’s toys or tools could be picked up by high winds and turned into projectiles. Not only could these items get damaged, but they could also cause damage to other objects within your garden.
Before a storm, it’s best to store any loose items away in a shed or in your home. In areas that are particularly prone to high winds, it could be worth securing furniture to the ground or opting for heavy outdoor furniture such as cast iron furniture.
Install flood defences
If you live near a water source such as a river or a lake, there could be a high risk of a flood after it has been heavily raining. Waterlogging is not good for your plants and could cause a lot of damage to your garden (and possibly even your home).
There are various ways to get rid of excess water. One option could be to use slopes and channels to redirect water to a soakaway or pond. Alternatively, you can grow plants on raised beds – this will improve drainage so that plants don’t get waterlogged. In other cases, walls and sand bags may be able to provide a barrier against floodwater.
