How do you cope with hail damage?

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-23-2010, 10:44 PM

We were assaulted for the second day in a row by a hail storm. This one was way more fierce; it took out a lot of my berries and flowers.

I won't be able to assess damage until tomorrow, but the hail was enough to cover the entire front garden's mulch bed. All you saw was hail and plants.

I feel like one of my children was injured.

How well do plants, mainly bushes, bounce back after a hail storm? This was pea sized hail, but judging by the storm that came in it could have been a whole lot worse.

**frugalfranny** · 06-24-2010, 12:17 AM

Oh gees MTTB.........that is the pits. Sorry to hear that...and after the hard work of gardening.

The plants will bounce back but it is the pits for the goodies that you were planning on eating........save what you can.

I was totally hailed out a couple years ago....just as I had huge tomatoes that were still green........I just let them turn and cut out the damaged parts. Had to watch for bugs.

It will weaken the plants so watch for bugs and things that can come in and take them over thus destroying them.

We have one coming at us as I write this.......hoping it will go north of us. I will be out there with a tarp to cover my plants if it hits here!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-24-2010, 12:20 AM

I think I'm gonna have to tarp the plants then because ugh, I don't know how much I can handle losing any more fruits. These were still young berries, but it hurts.

**TigerGirl1226** · 06-24-2010, 12:28 AM

If any of the stalks/stems are damaged, maybe try staking them until they are strong again.

**frugalfranny** · 06-24-2010, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

I think I'm gonna have to tarp the plants then because ugh, I don't know how much I can handle losing any more fruits. These were still young berries, but it hurts.

I know.......even old sheets would help. If you get enough warning and know FOR SURE that it is coming, I would cover the plants. I keep two or three tarps handy in the garage and have used them to cover plants.

If the berries are already 'staked' they will be okay with a tarp on them. If you have cages or stakes around your tomatoes that should hold the tarps up enough so they don't damage the plants. BUT.....better one broken stem than a whole damaged plant. Don't forget to anchor them for the wind........have used rocks or earth staples (you can get these at WM pretty cheap)...just a long metal staple type thing.

Otherwise, try to keep the tarps to the smaller size......or even use old sheets (been known to do that) as that will protect them.

(PS - just had an update on our storm and they think it will go north of us and it has backed off on some of the hail.....hope...hope!!)

**MomToTwoBoys** · 06-24-2010, 09:55 AM

I do have some old canvas that they use to make awnings for RVs, but I think that's too heavy. I told DH that I'd like to get some of the light blue tarp for the plants.

I went out and took a look last night. I lost quite a few of the young, green blueberries and some of the gooseberries that were just starting to form. The raspberry plants took a beating mainly on the leaves. Thankfully, there's no fruit that's set in yet on them or I might have lost that last night.

The hail came down in a torrent and for a while, it was more hail than rain. It started blowing north, right into the windows and thus, onto the front garden. The side garden's sort of shielded a bit, but it still got quite a bit of the hail. The neighbor on the other side of the side yard wasn't so lucky; their entire patch between their house and the sidewalk was covered in hail.

My geraniums that were in the hanging pot has petals strewn all over the yard. I'm sure when I go to water them again soon, I'll end up spraying off some of the loosened petals.

I think we're ok for the most part. I have a feeling we'll have a lot more hail storms this year, so thanks for the tarp recommendation.

**Natalie's Nesters** · 06-24-2010, 11:41 AM

Has this been the weirdest weather year yet? Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Best of luck!

**frugalfranny** · 06-24-2010, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Natalie's Nesters

Has this been the weirdest weather year yet?

Originally Posted by MomToTwoBoys

I have a feeling we'll have a lot more hail storms this year, so thanks for the tarp recommendation.

Yes! To both of the above.

Prepare and hope for the best MTTB. Really frustrating, I know.

I was telling a neighbor that I think we will get lots of thunder/hail storms this year too.......above average. Partly due to our wild weather swings we have been having.....lows 50's....then up to the high 70's, low 80's. Poor plants don't know what to do!!