How to prep your garden for the heavy rains expected this week, and what to do after:

BEFORE

🌧 Drainage - clear/dig ditches deeper to ensure water is being funneled away from low areas and to avoid wash-out of gardens or driveways + move or cover any containers that don't have good drainage and can flood.

🌧 Support tall plants, as heavy rains and wind can cause breakage or flopping that may be hard for them to recover from.

🌧 Cover delicate & rot-prone plants with plastic sheeting/pots to prevent damage/excess saturation, but be sure to uncover on occasion to allow for air flow to prevent mildew.

🌧 Plant those plants you haven't gotten to yet - the best time for them to get established is with days of rain ahead!

AFTER

🌦 Uncover all covered containers/plants immediately to allow for air flow & sun to hit them.

🌦 Check containers and beds for washed out soil and exposed roots, re-cover any exposed areas with compost/soil before they get burnt and damage the plant.

🌦 Cut back any broken stems/plants & deadhead spent blooms, retie/support plants that have fallen over.

🌦 Revamp soils, as nutrients may be leached - top with compost or mix in organic plant food.

🌦 Watch for slugs, snails and mildews (and treat organically if found).

🌦 Take advantage of wet soils and catch up on weeding - they won't break off at the root & will pop right out!

🌦 Check drainage ditches again and clear built up sediment/detritus.