Managing Garden Storm Damage

June 01, 2023

Big or small, being on the receiving end of garden storm damage is always upsetting. The country is certainly being hammered by so much awful weather and with warnings that we can expect this for years to come, having a clear plan around both the prevention and management of garden storm damage is important.

Being avid gardeners, we’ve researched and then learnt through trial and error some strategies to protect and recover our garden efforts as best as possible. Today, we’re sharing a few of these with you.

Strategies to Limit Garden Storm Damage

If you receive enough advance warning of a potentially damaging storm, you may be able to take a few steps to limit the damage, including:

Stake where required – we’re not talking vampires, but rather the less established or smaller trees, shrubs and other plants which are quite delicate and require support against heavy rain or wind.
Secure any loose items – pot plants and garden furniture should be moved to a sheltered area or put inside. Not only could they become damaged, but they have the potential to cause it too.

Get pruning – look for any dead, damaged or weak branches and remove these from trees within your garden. Have a chat with your neighbour about any overhanging ones that could break and cause damage to your property.

Clear drains and soak holes – if you have known drains or soak holes in or around your garden, ensure both they and the water path to them are kept clear of debris. It could also be worthwhile doing some advance landscape planning, where you identify areas that are windswept or quickly waterlogged and plan your plantings to minimise these.

Managing Garden Storm Damage

Once the storm has passed, it is time to access the damage and clean up. Before you jump straight in, ensure the area is safe for you to enter. Downed powerlines and trees can be hazardous, so please contact the professionals to manage these. Other things you can do include:

Saturated areas – avoid walking or working in super wet areas of ground as this can cause soil compaction and yet even more mud.
Inspect branches – bring out the secateurs and remove any damaged stems and branches where possible. These can be put into your compost bin.
Replant – if wind has toppled trees or shrubs over leaving exposed roots, you can try to save these by standing up and staking the plant. Add more soil where required and back fill any holes.
Remove – sometimes you just need to cut your losses and remove damaged plants and items from your garden. The good news is, you can buy more trees to replace them!

One of the best things about a garden is that it is always changing. It’s those unwanted changes thanks to storm damage we don’t want though. But with patience, time and a heap of effort, it will change for the better once more.