How to Prepare Your Garden for Hurricane Season
As much as we cherish our gardens, there are times when Mother Nature throws us a curveball—especially during hurricane season. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, you know that preparation is crucial.
I want to share with you some essential gardening tips to help protect your beloved garden from potential hurricane damage.
Watch the video version of this guide on my YouTube channel.
Understanding Hurricane Season
Hurricane season runs from June to November, with peak activity between August and October. It’s important to be ready not just for one storm, but possibly multiple storms during this period. Being proactive can make the difference between saving your garden or starting from scratch.
Stay Informed
Start your preparations by keeping an eye on weather forecasts throughout hurricane season. If there's a potential storm forming, begin your garden preparations a few days in advance—the more lead time you have, the better.
Protecting Potted Plants
Potted plants, containers, and vertical garden planters such as my GreenStalk Garden Towers are most vulnerable to strong winds. To protect them, move all potted plants to a sheltered area like your garage, covered porch, or even inside your home if possible. If bringing them inside is not an option, group the pots together in a protected corner and secure them with sandbags or tie them down. Hanging baskets should be taken down to minimize the risk of damage.
Safeguarding Raised Beds and In-Ground Crops
For those with raised beds or in-ground crops, protection from flooding and heavy winds is essential. Consider covering raised beds with a sturdy tarp, secured with bricks or heavy objects to prevent it from blowing away. For in-ground crops, create small trenches around the beds to divert water and avoid water logging. I often use grow bags for planting in flood-prone areas, as they efficiently drain excess water. For delicate or young plants, build a temporary wind barrier using stakes and burlap.
Pruning Trees and Shrubs
Large trees and shrubs can be hazardous to both your garden and home if not maintained properly. Pruning is vital to reduce the risk. Trim back any dead or overhanging branches that could break during high winds. Large trees near your home should be pruned annually to minimize risk. Also, remember to secure trellises, garden stakes, and climbing plants.
Harvesting Before the Storm
Another important step in hurricane prep is harvesting your crops before the storm. Anything ripe or near ripening should be picked. I especially recommend harvesting herbs and moringa to dry indoors; hurricane winds can severely damage the leaves. After the storm, you may not have access to your garden for days, so gather extra herbs and vegetables for preservation. If you have favorite plants you’d hate to lose, take cuttings and root them indoors as a precaution.
Caring for Irrigation Systems and Garden Structures
If you have an irrigation system, make sure to turn it off before the storm. With heavy rain coming, overwatering would be the last thing you'd want. Disconnect hoses and secure irrigation lines to prevent damage. For garden structures like greenhouses and chicken coops, reinforce them with extra stakes or sandbags. Secure garden furniture and tools to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
After the Storm
Once the storm passes, assess the damage. Clean up fallen branches or debris and check your plants. Prune any broken branches and attend to damaged plants to prevent disease spread. I like to spray plants vulnerable to leaf diseases with a mixture of one cup of hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water as a preventive measure.
Gardening through hurricane season can be challenging, but with the right preparation, you can minimize damage and quickly get your garden thriving again. Preparation and vigilance are key. If you have any tips or ideas on preparing your garden for a hurricane, please comment and share. Stay safe, and as always, happy gardening!