When a storm passes, your garden often bears the brunt. The next morning, looking at the scenery outside the window, it may be very frustrating to see that months or even years of love seem to have gone to waste. You may find broken branches, broken leaves and flat stems - it feels like a disaster.
However, please try to keep an open mind on how to restore the vegetable garden. Remember that nature is a great healer. Storms have been happening for thousands of years, and plants are resilient - they have to be. As far back as prehistoric times, when mammoths trampled on them, plants had learned to adapt to adversity.
Savana will let you know how to restore the vitality of the vegetable garden after the storm.
Assess the Damage
First, walk around the garden to determine the extent of damage and what needs to be done. Some things take precedence over others. The harrow can wait, but the uprooted plants need to be put back before the exposed roots become dry.
Lift Flattened Plants
When you check for damage, look for any plants that have been crushed by heavy rain or hail. These can usually be brought back into place and salvaged, although they may need support for the rest of the growing season. Gently wash any dirt or soil on the leaves to avoid leaf disease.
Fix Broken Stems
Here's how to repair the broken plant stem: make a clean cut under the broken stem so that there is no jagged edge. If there is a bud or leaf node, that is, a swollen area that once attached a leaf, cut it back to within a quarter of an inch above it. Many plants will grow new growth from the remainder of the stem.
Inspect the broken leaves
Large leaves, such as rhubarb, kale and kale, are most vulnerable to storms. If they are damaged or turn yellow or brown, remove them with pruning shears. Otherwise, let them remain because they need photosynthesis.
Cover Exposed Roots
The wind and rain sometimes expose the roots of plants, which will soon dry out in the sun. Cover any exposed roots with topsoil and add a layer of mulch to prevent fresh soil from being eroded.
Dump Excess Water
Pots, dishes, trolleys and other objects around the yard will accumulate rain and attract mosquitoes, so please drain the water. In addition, inspect the gutter spout and remove any leaves or debris that block the outlet.
Weed if Possible
After the storm, the soil is wet, and it is easy to pull up grass. As there is less competition, the remaining factories can develop better. However, if the soil becomes mushy or muddy due to excessive rainfall, please wait a moment - and then walking on it may damage the soil structure. If you need to enter the garden when the soil is still muddy, put down a board and walk on it to disperse the weight.
Aerate Dry Soil
Once the garden dries, powdery soil (more common in over cultivated soil) usually forms an unbreakable glaze barrier after heavy rain. Use forks to break the aircraft. In the long run, begin to improve the soil with compost and chopped leaves to restore its health.
Replace Mulch
Storms can replace mulch on slopes or near drain spouts. Bark fragments are particularly prone to floating in rivers. Replace the cover where necessary and strengthen it where it looks thin. Consider Ruth Stout's method of covering your plants with straw, leaves, garden trims, and other organic materials. It can store water, accumulate soil slowly over time, and prevent downpours from eroding your valuable garden soil.
Remove Damaged Plants
It was a difficult decision, but sometimes the answer to the question of how to restore the garden after a storm is to remove the plants. This is certainly the case if the plant breaks at the base, but it may also be the case if most of the leaves are severely damaged. Dig out the plants and roots, and be careful not to damage the surrounding plants and roots.
Replant if Needed
Review your calendar and determine if you have time to place replacement plants. Fortunately, you will have many options for replanting early in the gardening season. If you are approaching autumn and frost dates, do some research on vegetables or annuals that can withstand cool weather – there are many fast growing options that may still be available.
Fertilize if Desired
Defer fertilization for a few weeks to see if the plants can react on their own. After that, the water soluble fertilizer can be applied in half.
Call in Help
Don't be afraid to ask for help after the storm, especially in terms of safety. Be sure to stay away from any collapsed power lines and call the power company for service. In addition, unless you have experience in dealing with fallen trees and branches, do not try to deal with any big branches that fall from trees (they are called widow makers for a reason). It is better to call the tree service instead of being injured by a falling limb.
Although your garden may feel like the cause of failure after a big storm, following these steps can help you mitigate any damage and let your vegetables thrive for the rest of the season.
