Storm-Proofing Your Landscaping: Trees, Shrubs, and Garden Tips

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

Severe weather conditions, such as storms, can wreak havoc on your landscaping. Trees and shrubs can cause damage to your house or your neighbor’s house, and wind and heavy rain can ruin delicate plants. However, there are plenty of steps you can take to mitigate these risks. In this blog post, we will discuss ways of storm-proofing your landscaping by offering tips to safeguard your trees, shrubs, and garden.

Prune Your Trees and Shrubs

Regularly maintaining your trees and shrubs is essential for many reasons, and storm-proofing is one of them. Overgrown branches and shrubs can easily snap or break off during high winds, causing damage to your property or your neighbor’s property. Properly pruned trees and shrubs can better withstand harsh weather conditions, helping them avoid damage.

Plant and Stake Trees Properly

Proper planting and staking are key to keeping trees strong and upright during storms. Make sure you plant your trees according to their specific needs and size. Use stakes to help them remain upright and rooted during heavy winds. However, be careful not to over-stake your trees or tie them too tightly. Over staking can cause damage to the roots and limit the tree’s ability to sway or move naturally, which is essential in strong winds.

Certain plant varieties are better suited to survive high winds. For example, small, dense trees such as dogwoods and hawthorns are less likely to lose branches than larger, more brittle trees like maples and oaks. Additionally, plants with strong stems and flexible branches, such as bamboo and ornamental grasses, are more likely to withstand heavy storms.

Install Drainage Systems

Large amounts of rainfall can wreak havoc on your property and your garden. Heavy storms can result in standing water, root rot, and damage to plants. Consider installing a French drain or other drainage systems to avoid water logging and prevent these issues.

Gazebos, pergolas, and garden arches are beautiful, but they can become deadly projectiles during high winds. To protect your property and prevent damage, reinforce these structures with cables or braces, or secure them to the ground. During warnings of anticipated storms, bring potted plants or small trees indoors to minimize any potential damage. This activity can also protect your investment in your gardening and landscaping.

Storm-proofing your landscaping can prevent damage to your property and conserve the beauty of your yard. By properly pruning your trees and shrubs, planting and staking your trees properly, choosing wind-resistant plant varieties, installing drainage systems for better water management, reinforcing garden structures, and bringing potted plants indoors, you can reduce the risks of damage during storms. Keep in mind, the aforementioned steps will not entirely eliminate all threats; however, they give your landscaping a greater chance of survival in inclement weather.