Weathering the storm: helping your garden bounce back

The early summer of 2025 has been a wild ride—from unseasonal cold snaps to blistering heat and powerful storms. If your yard took a hit, don’t worry. Here’s a simple, safe plan to get your yard and garden back on track.

• Start with a safety check for downed power lines, broken branches, or unstable trees. Snap photos for insurance and leave major tree work to the professionals.
• Tackle tree trouble. Trim small limbs, and if a partially uprooted tree is still upright, staking may help it recover. Fallen trees can sometimes be repurposed as firewood, mulch, or wildlife habitat.
• Fix drainage fast. Heavy rains can saturate soil and suffocate roots. Redirect standing water with shovels or hoses and avoid walking on wet soil to prevent compaction.
• Assess plant health. Shredded leaves and snapped stems may look alarming, but many plants recover quickly with a quick pruning. Root vegetables may still be thriving underground, even if their tops look tough.
• Stake and support. Straighten toppled flowers, young trees, and vining vegetables with soft ties or cages. A little backup goes a long way.
• Rethink your mulch. Storms often scatter mulch and expose roots. Rake it back or add fresh layers—straw, bark, or wood chips help protect soil and prevent erosion.
• Compost the cleanup. Collect healthy debris for composting. If you spot signs of pests or disease, play it safe and toss it instead.
• Watch for delayed damage. Not all storm stress shows up right away. Keep an eye out for a few days after a weather event for wilting, bark cracks, or unusual growth changes.
• Grow smarter next season. Take note of what withstood the storm. Use that insight when choosing hardier varieties, improving staking, or adding windbreaks.
• Be kind to yourself. Garden recovery takes time. Focus on what you can do and lean on local resources for advice and encouragement.

Gardens are resilient, and so are gardeners. With a little care and know-how, storm damage can be the first step toward a stronger, smarter growing season ahead.