How to Protect Your Garden From Summer Hail

Hailstorms can cause extensive damage to your garden when plants are left unprotected. The hail is often accompanied by heavy rain, which can wash away the soil and even some plants. Even small hail can tear leaves, stems, flowers and other parts of the plants, while vegetables can be knocked to the ground. In severe hailstorms, plants can sustain long-term damage. Since hailstorms often arrive suddenly, keeping a few emergency items near the garden can help you protect your garden quickly before the storm arrives.

Bucket
Bricks or heavy stones
Milk jug
Scissors or knife
Clay pots
Cardboard
Fiberglass
Tarp or plastic cover
Stakes

Instructions

- 1
  Place an upside-down bucket over small plants, and set a brick or heavy stone on top of it to prevent it from blowing away. Another option is to cut off the bottom of a gallon milk jug and place it over the plant. Push it down into the soil around the plant to prevent it from blowing away. An upside-down clay pot also works.
- 2
  Cover larger plants with a large piece of cardboard bent into a tent shape. If you have plants growing along a fence, place a piece of cardboard or fiberglass in front of the plant and lean it against the fence to provide some protection. If you leave the sides open to allow for air circulation, it can be left in place all day when a storm is predicted. A large upside-down garbage can weighed down with bricks or stones is also an option for larger plants.
- 3
  Cover plants with a tarp or plastic cover. Place a stake or other tall item beneath the tarp or cover to prevent it from resting directly on the plants. Stake down the cover or weigh down the corners with bricks to prevent it from blowing away.
- 4
  Build up the soil around the plants to prevent them from washing away in heavy rain.

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