As Storm Aurore batters southern England and unsettled weather is forecast for the rest of the week in the UK, it’s probably time to think about how we can best protect our gardens from heavy wind and rain.
“We’re seeing an increase of these small, little storms throughout the year,” says designer and landscaper Mark Gregory, managing director of Landform Consultants. “We never used to get as many a decade ago – there’s obviously a weather pattern emerging.”
To really look after your outdoor area, it’s better to do long-term planning, rather than any quick fixes. Gregory says: “Everything needs to be managed, and it’s only when storms come that people realise they haven’t managed it.”
How to storm proof your garden
If you’re looking to future-proof your garden against storms, it’s worth considering these areas…
Take care of trees
This is particularly important in smaller gardens, where trees might be hanging over the boundaries.
To make sure trees don’t wreak havoc during a storm, Gregory advises lightening them, lifting the crowns and taking out dead wood.
Even if a tree is protected, he suggests getting in touch with your local council if you feel like it’s posing a danger. “Don’t be frightened – just because a tree’s protected – to actually look at the possibility of a crown reduction,” he says, “but that will take months to do – it’s not overnight.”
Bolster your fencing
“Most of our winds come from the west, we don’t get much storm from the south, so look at your north-westerly boundaries and see how you can improve them,” is Gregory’s top piece of advice.
Whether you’re putting in new fencing or replacing what you have, he says: “Think from a longevity point of view,” and recommends you bolster the specifications of fences, or put concrete spurs in.
“Typically, the fences that are put on very modern urban housing is very cheap and cheerful,” he says, so it’s worthwhile looking for more robust designs. Alternatively, you can design your fencing in a way that wind can pass through, so it won’t topple over in a storm.
Consider any buildings
If you have any gazebos or sheds in your garden, Gregory recommends future-proofing the structures. “Can those buildings be stripped down, made lighter and safer? So for instance, in winter, you can take panels out so the wind can blow right through,” he says.
It’s also worth turning off any water features, so the wind doesn’t empty it out.
Be smart with planting
Bigger gardens with exposed areas will be more susceptible to damage from storms. “If you want to future-proof, it all starts with planting and breaking down the wind,” explains Gregory. “You can create quite ornamental planting which acts as a windbreak.” Try a combination of evergreen and indigenous shrubs.
“It’s not just wind – it’s episodes of incredible rain, and not just in winter,” he says. “So, think when you’re planning your garden where the water’s going to go. You can also have gravel areas, less paving, more planting, let the whole garden act as a sponge, as opposed to big areas of hard landscape.”
Best-selling garden furniture covers
Stuck for inspiration? Check out our list of best-selling garden furniture covers.
- ✔【Heavy-Duty Waterproof Material】- Is your expensive furniture damaged by rain, sun exposure, dust ? The new garden furniture cover is Made from 420D PVC-lined oxford fabric, this heavy-duty...
- ✔【Upgraded Windproof Design】- Compared with other buckles, the buckles are more prone to aging, breaking and falling off. We used 4 velcro instead, in addition to that it has 2 side tightening...
- ✔【Rip Resistant and UV Protection】- Garden Furniture Covers with upgrade soild two-thread stitching,give full protection for the cover from cracking.Inner layer has a silver coating,UV resistant...
- 【Product size】- Kovshuiwe Cover size of 250x250x90cm(LxWxH).The garden furniture cover is apply to all kinds of outdoor furniture, chairs, benches, coffee table, rectangular furniture set etc....
- 【High-performance waterproof material】: Upgraded version of 420D Oxford cloth, the patio furniture cover can withstand 10,000mm of water pressure. With durable Oxford cloth, the thick coating will...
- 【Dual Windproof Protection】- There is a drawstring on the Garden Furniture Covers bottom and 4 buckles.It's special designed to keep the Patio Furniture Cover secure on the Furniture,so that it...
- 【Enzeno Garden Furniture Cover】 - Is your expensive furniture damaged by rain, sun and dust? The new upgraded garden furniture cover is covered with nano PU coating and high temperature sealed...
- 【Second Generation Stereo Vent】- The new vent has increased the opening design to increase the capacity of air entry, which maximises air flow, reduces internal condensation and keeps the internal...
- 【Upgraded Windproof Design】-- Compared with other buckles, the buckles are more prone to aging, breaking and falling off. We used four velcro instead, in addition to that it has 2 side tightening...
- 【Heavy-Duty Material】- Made from 600D PVC-lined oxford fabric. Denier is a unit of weight for fabric, higher denier means thicker, heavier, more sturdy and durable fabric. Comparing with 420D...
- 【Comply with Environmental Protection Standard】- Some covers contain with a high percentage of harmful chemicals, but our PVC lining complies with EU Environmental 7P Standard. Not only does it...
- 【Perfect Details】- There is 4 click-close straps at the bottom. Which was special designed to keep the cover secure on the furniture, so that it will not be blown away by wind. Air vents are...
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
You may be interested in…
This article may include affiliate links to products and services where we may receive a small fee to support the running of this site if you make a purchase or is a sponsored article from one of our select editorial partners providing valuable advice and information to our readers.
