A hurricane from the Atlantic is set to cause havoc across the UK this week – bringing a risk of fierce winds and potential flooding.
The category four storm, named Hurricane Kirk, is expected to pass through the country on Wednesday or Thursday and particularly spark problems in the south.
To ensure gardens are in the best position possible to withstand the upcoming stormy weather, Samantha Richards, garden gazebo expert at Gazeboshop is urging Brits to take action now in order to limit damage:
She said: “Given the rain and wind damage the UK has experienced in recent weeks, your garden will already be in a state of recovery.
“We’ve seen the recent rainfall not only flood roads but waterlog gardens which can significantly damage lawns by washing away valuable nutrients in the soil.
“Adding in extra layers of protection now will be vital to help ensure your garden is still intact for when the worst of the bad weather arrives.”
7 expert-approved steps to protect your garden during stormy weather
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Anchor outdoor structures
Flying trampolines, washing lines and bins are not uncommon during a storm. Any loose objects in your garden can be swept away if a gust of wind is strong enough, which is why it’s vital for anything that isn’t fixed in place to be weighed down.
This also includes sheds and greenhouses as they can become a serious hazard to properties and people if parts of the material are blown away. Before the weather deteriorates, now is a good time to check for any damage or faults in your garden structures and make the necessary repairs.
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Protect your plants
If you are an avid gardener and have spent time nurturing your plants over the growing season, the last thing you want is for a storm to come and ruin all your hard work. For this reason, it’s well worth investing in some burlap or tying cloth over any delicate blooms to guard them against the predicted stormy weather.
For those who are concerned about water logging then raising your potted plants onto feet by using bricks is a good way to prevent this.
If you don’t want to take any chances, bringing potted plants indoors – whether that’s inside your greenhouse or porch – over the coming days will ensure they survive the storm.
For plants that you are unable to move or cover as easily, getting them in the best shape possible is recommended for the greatest chance of survival. This can be done by pruning your plants just before the storm hits to ensure there are no loose branches that can easily snap off in heavy winds.
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Check drainage systems
As we have seen recently, with heavy rainfall comes higher chances of flooding and that can pose serious problems for your lawn’s health – like rotting – if the excess water is left to sit for extended periods of time.
There are a few things you can do now to reduce the risk of flooding such as ensuring all the drainage systems in your garden are clear and working properly. This involves checking and clearing any debris from your gutters, as well as aerating your lawn before the rain comes by spiking holes into the soil with a garden fork.
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Pack away outdoor furniture
Make sure if you do have any packable items like outdoor garden furniture or gazebos you store them away in a secure shed or garage as they have the potential to damage property and smash windows if left open in stormy weather because of how light they are.
The same goes for any hanging items like baskets of flowers or more delicate ornaments in your garden. If you are particularly precious about anything that typically stays outside all-year round then it’s best to store it inside over the coming days.
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Inspect the trees near your property
During previous storms in the UK, we’ve seen nearby trees fall and smash into houses causing expensive repairs. For this reason, it’s worth quickly inspecting the trees surrounding your property.
Some signs to look out for are dead branches, splits in the wood and roots rising up out of the ground. If you are surrounded by trees and are especially worried about one falling, consider getting in touch with a tree surgeon for a professional opinion.
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Secure fences
If you notice that your fence is leaning over or isn’t quite standing upright, this is a sign that it’s a vulnerable position ahead of Kirk arriving.
For unstable fences, it’s worth adding in some additional support to ensure they don’t come loose and fall down. As a short term fix, you can bolt another post against the loose fence to improve its stability, but if there’s serious damage then you should consider replacing the fence entirely.
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Leave your lawn alone
If the heavy rain has already begun or your lawn is already waterlogged from recent bad weather, the most important thing to do is keep off your grass as much as possible, providing it with every opportunity to drain.
Walking over a lawn that’s waterlogged will force the air out of the soil and when this eventually dries, it will be heavily packed together which can lead to stunted growth in spring.
Damaging soil and grass blades can also lead to fungal lawn diseases. On top of this, avoid mowing your lawn during periods of heavy rain.
