Summer may be coming to an end, but hurricane season isn’t. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), peak hurricane season is between mid-August and mid-October. During this time, homeowners and gardening enthusiasts face a heavy challenge. Hurricanes bring fierce winds and torrential rains that can wreak havoc on even the most well-tended landscapes. Here are some essential strategies and precautions that can help homeowners protect their plants.
Examine Trees:
According to the Associated Press (AP), it’s important to check trees for cracked or broken branches before storms. You want to make sure all of the broken limbs are removed so they are not torn by strong winds. This can prevent them from damaging your house. For large trees, you may also want to hire an arborist to inspect them. The Farmer's Almanac also suggests staking tall plants, so they do not suffer breakage.
Check your Soil:
Make sure your soil is not too moist. If it is, the AP states to apply 3 inches of mulch over beds and borders. This will offer protection against the soaking effects of a severe flood, which could uproot plants. This is especially true for trees such as white pine, birch, willow and tulip poplar.
Move Hanging Baskets:
Make sure to move containers and baskets to sheltered areas so they aren’t torn apart or blown away.
Set up Wind Barriers:
According to the Farmers Almanac, set up the barriers around garden beds by using heavy bags of potting soil, rocks, or sand.
Protect Young Seedlings:
Lay row cover fabric over the top of the seedlings and secure the edges with landscape pegs. The Farmer's Almanac states the fabric will keep the rain from hammering the soil and the plants.
For more information about protecting plants during severe weather click here.
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Wellzesta Life’s daily wellness content also includes different resources to further users’ interest and knowledge of plants.
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