If you’re hoping to keep your garden in good shape, there’s four crucial jobs experts say you need to get done this weekend. The Met Office says Hurricane Erin could impact parts of the UK next week and James Ewens, a gardening and wildlife expert at Green Feathers, has revealed four gardening tasks you should complete ahead of the winds.
With potentially uncertain weather on the way, you’ll need to make sure your garden is well-equipped to deal with any turbulent conditions. If you don’t, you’ll risk needing to make repairs to your outdoor space if things get damaged. There’s four simple jobs you can do to avoid any garden problems and they won’t take you too long.
Dan Cooper Garden says: “When storms and gales hit, they can uproot centuries-old trees, redistribute garden buildings and trash your well-tended plants.
“There’s little you can do in the eye of a storm, but here are some sensible precautions that you can take when strong wind is forecast.”
First of all, you’ll need to secure any loose garden objects. This could include plant pots, hanging baskets, and garden furniture which could become problematic in stormy weather.
Secondly, you should make sure to protect your vulnerable plants.
James says: “Mulching your garden with a thick top layer can protect the soil and stop those essential nutrients being flushed away by rainfall.”
Another task you can’t forget about is taking a moment to consider how wildlife could be impacted.
In your garden, you should make sure bird boxes and bug hotels are carefully secured or moved somewhere sheltered.
James says you should hang them “close to a wall, fence, or under a sturdy tree canopy where they’re shielded from the worst of the wind and rain.
“You should also ensure that you are not allowing bird-feed to go mouldy after heavy rainfall, as this can be harmful to birds, so replace food more often if necessary,” James adds.
The fourth and final job is to clean your gutters. This is a job you should always be on top of but it can easily get forgotten about.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure your garden won’t be damaged and instead will be prepared for any unsettled conditions.