Is your garden ready to handle strong winds, heavy rain, or even hail? Most people don’t think about storm prep until a warning flashes on the screen. By then, it’s often too late. Storms can undo months of work in just one night. The good news? A few key steps can make all the difference.
Whether you’re protecting a small backyard or a full landscape, getting ahead of seasonal storms isn’t just smart, it’s essential. Here’s how to do it right.
Check for Weak Trees and Limbs First
Start with a full inspection. Walk around your garden and look closely at trees, shrubs, and large plants. What you’re looking for are signs of weakness.
Branches that lean heavily to one side. Trees with cracks in the trunk. Dead limbs still hanging on. These can all break off and become dangerous during a storm.
It’s not just about damage to your garden, either. Falling limbs can hit your house, car, or power lines. If you’re unsure about a tree’s health, bring in a professional arborist for advice.
Trim Back Overgrown Trees
Once you’ve identified weak or overgrown areas, it’s time to take action. That often means cutting back trees that have gotten too big for the space or that are growing too close to your home, fence, or power lines. A Worx chainsaw is one of the most effective tools for this job. Use it to cut off large dead limbs, remove low-hanging branches, and thin out dense canopy sections.
You don’t need to take down the whole tree. Focus on reducing the risk. If you don’t feel confident using a chainsaw, get help from someone who does. Always wear proper gear and follow safety guidelines when handling one.
Trimming trees not only prevents breakage during storms, it also allows wind to pass more easily through the garden, lowering the chance of trees being uprooted.
Reinforce Garden Structures
Think about anything that could blow away or collapse. Arbors, pergolas, trellises, greenhouses, and even raised beds should be secure. Go around and physically shake each one. If it wobbles, it needs reinforcement.
Use extra screws, concrete anchors, or support beams to firm up the base. Temporary structures like garden tents or shade sails should be packed away completely.
Fences are another big risk. A few loose panels can quickly become flying debris. Walk the fence line and tighten or replace any loose boards. It’s a simple fix that can save a lot of hassle.
Clean Out Gutters and Drains
Flooding is one of the most common types of storm damage, especially in gardens that sit at the bottom of a slope. When drains get clogged with leaves or dirt, water builds up fast.
Take time to clean out your:
- Roof gutters and downspouts
- Yard drains and grates
- French drains or dry wells
Make sure water flows away from the garden and not toward it. If the drainage isn’t working properly, heavy rain can drown plants and erode your soil.
Secure or Remove Loose Items
This one is often overlooked. Go through your garden and remove or tie down anything that isn’t bolted in place. That includes:
- Garden decor – sculptures, pots, birdbaths
- Furniture – chairs, cushions, umbrellas
- Tools – rakes, shovels, hand tools
- Children’s items – toys, sandboxes, swings
A 40 mph wind can send even heavy items flying. You don’t want a ceramic pot smashing into your windows, or tools being buried under a foot of mud.
Store what you can in a shed or garage. If it has to stay outside, weigh it down with sandbags or bungee it to a solid structure.
Prune Vulnerable Plants
Delicate shrubs and tall plants are especially vulnerable in high winds. Go through your beds and prune plants that look top-heavy or loosely anchored.
Pinch back flowers that are likely to snap. Support young plants with stakes or cages. For climbing vines, double-check that their trellises are secure and not overloaded.
You don’t need to strip the garden bare. Just reduce the surface area that can catch wind. This helps prevent plants from being ripped out of the ground or snapped at the base.
Protect the Soil
Storms can wash away soil in just one downpour. Beds that slope even slightly are at risk. There are a few ways to hold soil in place:
- Add mulch – A thick layer helps absorb impact from rain and keeps the soil from shifting.
- Use ground covers – Plants like creeping thyme or low-growing sedum help anchor soil with their roots.
- Install edging – Wood or metal barriers help reduce runoff and hold everything together.
Avoid leaving bare patches. Even a temporary covering like straw or cardboard can help in the short term.
Check Your Irrigation System
Most people forget to check this before a storm hits, but it’s important. If your irrigation system turns on after a storm, you could flood areas that are already soaked. Turn off timers and smart controllers ahead of time.
While you’re at it, inspect for any leaks or exposed pipes. Rain alone is often enough for a few days. Give your system a rest until everything dries out again.
Keep Your Garden Resilient
You can’t stop a storm, but you can stop it from wrecking everything you’ve built. A prepared garden bounces back faster. That means less cleanup, fewer repairs, and less stress overall.
Seasonal storms are part of life. The key is to stay one step ahead. Tackle a few things at a time. The more you prep now, the easier it’ll be to keep your garden thriving no matter what rolls through.