search
date/time
Lancashire Times
Weekend Edition
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturefictionCartoons
1:00 AM 11th January 2025
nature

How To Protect Your Garden From Wind & Rain

mike-kotsch-HNx4QLRgy2k-unsplash.jpg
mike-kotsch-HNx4QLRgy2k-unsplash.jpg
Following on from the high winds and rain which have been battling the UK, here is some advice from a gardening expert on how to repair damage in your garden and how to protect your plants from future storms.

Gardening expert and Managing Director of Hedges Direct, Jamie Shipley said:
“Sometimes in extreme weather no amount of preparation can match Mother Nature, but there are a few tips to help fix storm damage in your garden and some tasks you can do to try and prevent future damage before the next storm strikes.”


Tips for after stormy weather has hit:

1. Loosen waterlogged soil "If you the roots of your plants are waterlogged following a storm, loosen the soil and aerate it with a pitchfork to allow the water to drain away, being careful not to disrupt the roots."

2. Don’t remove fallen foliage “Although your first thought might be to remove any fallen leaves to tidy up your garden after a storm, the fallen foliage is actually a great heat insulator and will protect soil from becoming frozen in future cold snaps this winter. Instead of removing the fallen leaves I recommend raking them from your lawn and paved areas onto your flower beds. It’s a better idea to have a ‘spring clean’ once the weather warms up and clear away the leaves once they’re no longer needed. Wildlife also love leaf bundles as they can use them for nesting sites.”

3. Remove any broken stems “Remove any snapped branches and stems from your shrubs to give you a clearer view of any problems that need to be attended to. When pruning, stick to the rule of the “4 D’s”. Prune any branches that follow the four D’s: dead, diseased, damaged, or dying to the base to conserve the damaged plant’s energy. Once you make the cut, you should be able to see the inside white flesh which indicates the healthy part of the stem. If the flesh isn’t white, keep cutting lower until you expose the healthy stem. New cuts are more susceptible to rot and disease, so seal the wound using a pruning seal. Apply liberally with a paintbrush over the cut to ensure the wood is fully protected.”

4. Remove weeds “One of the benefits of windy and wet weather is that it can leave the soil in your garden soft which means it's easier to remove the complete root system when weeding. This means after a storm is the perfect time to remove weeds by hand, rather than using chemicals and potentially negatively affecting the soil biodiversity.

When hand weeding, the key is to remove each weed in its entirety. Hold the weed from the stem, pull and twist to gently remove the whole plant from the root system. Once weeded you can put a mulch or bark chippings down which helps retain the moisture and nutrients in the soil but also keeps light out which helps to suppress future weed growth."


Tips to prepare your garden before the next storm:

1. Plant hedges to prevent wind damage “High winds seem to be becoming more frequent so it’s a good idea to consider replacing any fences in your garden with a hedge. Unlike a wall or fence, which divert the wind upwards over the obstruction, creating turbulence, hedging acts as a filter as wind weakens while passing through a dense structure and thick foliage - improving air circulation whilst forming a sheltered micro-climate. In severe windy weather, a hedge won’t fall and sustain damage in the same way as a fence or wall, as it's constructed to be strong but flexible.

Planting a windbreak hedge is the most effective way to protect your garden against future strong winds but it’s important to consider the best type of plant. It's a good idea to stick with native plants which tend to be the most well-suited to the unique climate of a place and therefore better equipped to deal with extremes. Consider hardy plants like Elder, Hawthorn or English Yew. Large evergreen hedging plants such as Cherry Laurel, Privet or the conifer Leylandii make fantastic wind breaking hedges that display dense, attractive, green foliage providing year round cover."

2. Re-firm roots to prevent ‘wind rock’ “A common problem in windy conditions is 'wind rock' - especially for newly planted trees and shrubs. This is when gusts of wind catch the top growth of plants, causing the roots to loosen in the ground and air cavities to form in the surrounding soil. This leaves the roots vulnerable to frost damage and drying winds, making them less likely to establish well.

To prevent ‘wind rock’ I recommend using support canes to secure any newly planted trees and shrubs and make a point of re-firming in their roots throughout winter. Gently compact the soil with your foot or the back of a spade to remove any air holes and add extra compost to fill in any gaps."

3. Put up windbreak netting "You could also put up windbreak netting around your plants if conditions are extremely windy."


For more information click here