With springtime flowers come all those showers! Flash floods and heavy rain are markers of springtime around much of the U.S. Purposeful planting, timely execution and a bit of luck can help you minimize the damage and ensure that your garden looks great on those sunny days.
- Choose your plants and trees for their ability to withstand the wicked weather they’ll eventually encounter. Hardy plants and those native to stormy regions are more likely to survive and recover from the brunt of severe weather.
- If flooding is a threat, make it a point to plant in raised beds high enough to keep the plants from submerging.
- Take good care of your plants and trees when the weather’s fine. Healthy perennials plants and trees stand a good chance of pulling through the hardships and bouncing back. Regular irrigation, weeding and pruning will go a long way in enhancing their vitality.
- Stay up to date with the weather reports so you have at least some idea when to expect a major storm. Move all patio furniture, garden tools, feeders, composters, cold frames- basically anything that strong winds can dislodge – indoors, or secure these items, before the storm arrives. Nobody enjoys finding a lawn chair blown into a favorite flower bed.
- Do you live in an area with heavy rainfall? Many varieties of shade plants are particularly good at surviving a wet season – try astilbe, cardinal flowers, or iris ensanta. These plants don’t mind “wet feet.”
