Storm-proof gardening: how to protect your fragile plants
It is a frustrating moment for every gardener: you have worked in the garden for hours, the summer flowers look beautiful, and then a strong wind starts blowing. Unpredictable weather can ruin a neat, colorful garden in just one afternoon. Tall, full flowers like dahlias and peonies have a really hard time when the wind gets strong.
Broken stems and flattened flowers? Luckily, that doesn't have to happen. You don't have to just watch helplessly. With a little preparation and Peacock's smart tools, you can get your plants ready for the storm and keep your garden safe during windy days!
1. Beat the wind with the right support
The golden rule for a safe garden is to stay one step ahead of the wind. Do not wait to support your plants until they are already falling over. If you give them strong plant supports early in the season—while they are still growing—they will grow through them naturally.
Choose the Peacock modular system. Our ground pins, support rings, and grids are made of strong steel with a thick coating, so they can handle heavy winds. They can bend a little without breaking, spread out the push of the wind, and keep your plant safely in its natural shape.
2. Let the support grow with your plant
Sometimes a plant grows faster or taller than you thought, and the top suddenly catches a lot of wind. Standard support rings are often too low when the autumn storms begin, but the Peacock system solves this. Our supports are adjustable: using the smart connectors, you can easily slide the support ring or grid higher up the pinnup. This lets you support the stems exactly where the wind hits them hardest.
3. Help heavy flowers after rain
Plants are often extra weak against the wind because they are very heavy at the top. Big flowers (like peonies and hydrangeas) fill up with water during rain, which makes them very heavy. A simple gust of wind can then break the stem.
It is important to cut off old flowers early, but you also need to support the heavy ones. Place a wide support grid around these heavy plants. Are you a bit late and the plant is already falling over the path? With our handy connectable bush supports, you can easily 'catch' the falling branches and help them stand up straight again without any effort.
4. Keep potted plants safe on your patio
Potted plants fall over easily in strong winds. If the weather forecast warns of a storm, move your pots close together against the wall of your house, so they block the wind for each other. But do not forget the plant inside the pot! A large potted plant with long stems needs support just like a garden plant. With the Peacock Trellis Vario plant supports you can keep the summer flowers on your patio perfectly balanced, even in the wind.
5. Do not tie plants too tightly
Do you have climbing plants or tall stems that you want to tie down for an approaching storm? Make sure you never tie them too tightly. A plant must always be able to move and sway a little with the wind. If the plant is tied super tightly and cannot move, the stem will actually break right where the string is.
It is much better to let the stems rest inside Peacock support rings. They get the strength of the steel but still have room to move with the wind, without being squeezed. Prefer to tie it up? Then use our soft binding wire. The steel core allows you to secure the plant firmly, but the soft plastic coating prevents it from cutting into the plant’s stem.
Ready for the wind?
A stormy day does not have to be a disaster for your garden. With the right garden tools, your beautiful plants will survive the windiest spring days and autumn storms without any damage.
Curious about the best way to support your fragile plants? Check out our wide range of easy-to-use, long-lasting plant supports in our webshop and make sure your garden is ready for any weather!