Tips on protecting gardens during storm season
K-State horticulture expert shares how to help gardens through severe weather
At a glance: Gardens can take a beating during severe weather season. K-State horticulture expert Matt McKernan shares tips on protecting gardens from damage.
More information: Matt McKernan, hortsupport@ksu.edu
Related: K-State Horticulture Newsletter
K-State Extension news service
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Storm season can be stressful for many reasons, but for Kansas gardeners, protecting their plants is a priority.
With Kansas’ storm season looming, Kansas State University horticulture expert Matt McKernan has tips on how to protect and recover gardens from severe weather damage.
“We are entering storm season and various areas of the state will likely have high winds, excessive rainfall and hail,” McKernan said.
McKernan’s recommendations include:
Heavy Rain
“The force of rainfall pounding on the soil can result in a thick crust that prevents seed emergence and partially blocks oxygen from reaching roots,” McKernan said. A shallow cultivation with a rotary hoe or other tool can break up the crusted soil. McKernan cautions against deep tilling as it could damage young, tender roots.
“Wait until soils have an opportunity to dry before cultivating the soil surface,” McKernan says. “Working soils that are still wet can cause compaction and further damage to soil structure.”
Standing Water
“Standing water cuts off oxygen to the roots, which can result in plant damage if it doesn’t drain quickly enough,” he said. Plants can sometimes handle 24 hours of standing water, but hot weather following the rainfall can cause the water to become hot enough to ‘cook’ the plants in as little as a few hours.
“There isn’t much that can be done about this unless a channel can be dug to allow the water to drain away from the area,” McKernan said.
If heavy rain brings flood waters through the vegetable garden, McKernan recommends that produce contacted by floodwaters be considered no longer food-safe and not be consumed. “Floodwater can contain many unknown contaminants,” he explained, “including sewage, animal debris, pathogens, motor oils, and other chemicals.”
Hail Damage
Hail damaged plants should recover quickly as long as only the leaves were damaged. If stems and fruit were damaged, the situation may become more serious. “The plant can recover from a few bruises and holes, but if it looks like the plants were mowed down, replanting may be in order,” McKernan said.
Gardeners may be able to protect plants from anticipated hail threats by using buckets, large pots, old blankets, tarps, or hail netting to cover plants. “Just ensure any protective coverings are sturdy, as strong winds that often accompany hail may also dislodge coverings and create additional damage to plants,” McKernan added.
Leaning Plant
“Either wind or water can cause plants to lean,” McKernan said “They should start to straighten after a few days.” He does not recommend trying to bend them back as the plants often break easily.
McKernan and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with tips for maintaining home landscapes and gardens.
Interested persons can subscribe to the newsletter, as well as send their garden and yard-related questions to hortsupport@ksu.edu, or contact your local K-State Extension office.
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K-State Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service, a program that generates and distributes useful knowledge to support the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county extension offices statewide. Its headquarters is on the K‑State campus in Manhattan. For more information, visit extension.ksu.edu. K-State Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.