Protecting Your Garden and Your Investment from Mother Nature
Hailstorms are among the most destructive weather events for gardeners. While you can run for cover or move your car to safety, your garden plants are left exposed to the onslaught of falling ice. A light hailstorm may only leave a few bruised leaves, but a severe storm can shred tender plants and strip trees of their foliage within minutes. Fortunately, with proper planning and care, you can protect your garden from hail damage and ensure your plants recover quickly if the storm does hit.
Preparing Your Garden for a Hailstorm
The first line of defense is being proactive. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially during hail-prone seasons, so you can prepare in advance. Here are some strategies to protect your plants before the storm arrives:
1. Use Row Covers
Row covers, such as Agribon or Tufflite, can shield low-growing plants from hail. Although larger hailstones can tear through the fabric, the damage will be significantly less severe than if the plants were left uncovered.
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Installation Tips:
- Only set up row covers on the day of the storm to avoid unnecessary heat stress.
- Ensure the cover doesn’t touch the plants directly, as this can cause additional damage.
2. Protect Individual Plants
For potted plants or vulnerable specimens, place buckets, trash cans, or large containers over them.
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Important Precautions:
- Weigh down or stake the covers to prevent them from blowing away in strong winds.
- Remove these covers promptly after the storm to prevent heat buildup.
3. Cover Trees and Tall Plants
Large woody plants, such as trees and grapevines, are generally more resilient. However, young trees or those with ripening fruit may need extra protection.
- Wrap these plants with materials like Agribon, burlap, or even tarps and blankets to shield green wood and developing fruit.
- For tomatoes and other taller plants, consider a more permanent solution like hardware cloth. This sturdy material deflects hail without trapping heat or blocking sunlight and rain.
4. Strengthen Plants Before Storm Season
Healthy, vigorous plants are better equipped to recover from hail damage. Keep your garden well-fertilized and watered leading up to storm season to ensure robust growth. Use a balanced fertilizer to support overall plant health.
Post-Storm Garden Recovery
If a hailstorm damages your garden, don’t lose hope. Many plants can bounce back with proper care. The severity of the damage, the time of year, and the pre-storm health of your plants will all influence recovery.
1. Assess and Prune
- Remove Damaged Foliage: Prune off broken branches and severely damaged leaves to prevent disease and encourage new growth.
- Focus on Perennials: For flowering perennials, remove flowers to redirect the plant’s energy toward leaf and stem recovery.
2. Boost Nutrient Levels
Apply a fast-acting, balanced fertilizer like PVFS Liquid All Purpose to support rapid regrowth. A foliar spray of liquid kelp can also help plants recover by providing essential nutrients directly to the leaves.
3. Decide What to Replant
Not all plants can recover from severe hail damage. Annuals, young vegetable starts, and immature root vegetables are less likely to survive and may need to be replaced.
- Root Vegetables vs. Leafy Greens: Root vegetables are particularly vulnerable, but leafy greens often recover quickly.
- Replanting Tip: If it’s still early enough in the season, harvest damaged root vegetables and sow a new crop.
4. Monitor for New Growth
Give questionable plants about a week to show signs of new growth. If no improvement is seen, remove and replace them to make the most of the growing season.
Handling Damaged Fruit
Hail-damaged fruit isn’t necessarily a total loss. Here’s how to make the most of bruised or battered produce:
1. Harvest Ripe Fruit Immediately
- Damaged fruit will not store well, so pick and use it right away.
- While it may not look pretty, it’s still suitable for juicing, jamming, or preserving.
2. Treat Unripe Fruit with Care
- Apply a fungicide to prevent infections on unripe fruit still on the plant.
- Monitor these crops closely for signs of rot or disease as they continue to mature.
Long-Term Hail Protection Solutions
If you live in an area with frequent hailstorms, investing in more permanent protection measures can save your garden in the long run.
1. Hardware Cloth and Mesh Covers
Construct frames over your garden beds and cover them with hardware cloth or fine mesh. This type of barrier allows sunlight and rain to pass through while shielding plants from hail.
2. Greenhouses and High Tunnels
For added protection, consider building a greenhouse or high tunnel. These structures provide a controlled environment, safeguarding plants not only from hail but also from other extreme weather conditions.
3. Strategic Planting
Plant more resilient crops or those with sturdier structures in hail-prone areas of your garden. Use less vulnerable plants, like shrubs, as natural barriers to shield delicate specimens.
Benefits of Planning Ahead
Hailstorm damage can be stressful, but proactive planning and thoughtful recovery measures can protect your garden investment. By incorporating preventative strategies like row covers, permanent barriers, and healthy plant maintenance, you can minimize the impact of hail and enjoy a thriving garden throughout the season.
Conclusion
While you can’t control Mother Nature, you can take steps to protect your garden from hail damage. From using row covers and buckets to pruning damaged plants and applying fertilizers, these strategies will help you safeguard your plants and maximize your harvest.
If hail does strike, don’t despair—many plants can recover with a little care and attention. And remember, even hail-damaged fruit can be repurposed into delicious preserves or juices, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
By preparing ahead and acting quickly after a storm, you’ll keep your garden healthy and productive all season long.
