Protecting Plants from Hailstorms

One of Mother Nature's worst challenges for a delicate crops and gardens is hail. Hailstorms can devastate even the most seasoned planter's hard work in seconds. More than just icy rain, more than one billion dollars of damage related to hailstorms. If you are in a hailstorm prone region or are expecting inclement weather this hurricane season, here are some tips for protecting your plants from hail damage.

Basic Considerations

What is hail? Hail is a type of precipitation that is generally associated with severe thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes. Hail is supercooled moisture which falls from the sky in the form of ice pellets. These ice pellets can be pea to grapefruit size. Large hail can damage buildings and create small craters. People and pets need to be careful not to be out in hailstorms.

Types of Plant Protection

Greenhouses, Shed and Barns
Some areas of the country are regularly hit by troublesome hail. If that's the case, damage control should come in the form of more permanent and longer lasting structures. Serious gardeners may elect to have greenhouses, sheds or barns as refuses for their plants. In choosing this option, remember that the structures need to be sturdy and constructed in a way not to be damaged by the strong winds and water associated with hail related weather, such as thunderstorms.

Trash Cans and Buckets
If you are not furrowing fields of grain, simple sturdy covers over your large delicate plants may be enough. Trash cans and large 5 gallon buckets will do the trick. Simply place cans or buckets over your plants and then place a weigh on the can or bucket. This weight will ensure that the wind does not knock over your plant's cover. Heavy stones or even bricks will do a nice job.

Terra Cotta Pots
If you have smaller plants and not a lot of buckets lying around, you can opt for terra cotta pots. These clay pots are sturdy and come in a variety of sizes. Simply cover your small plats with these pots and add

Tarps or Sheets of Plastic
Your low plants or ground vining plants are just as susceptible to hail damage as your delicate stalks. Tarps and plastic covers are wonderful protection for these plants. You can get tarps or plastic from anywhere from hardware and even thrift stores. The trick is to elevate the tarp or plastic so that it does not crush your plants, but to also make it tight and sturdy enough to protect your plants from hail. You can use landscaping blocks and stakes to help create great protective covers for your low and vining plants.

Mesh Fencesand Cages
If you have several stalky plants, a mesh fence or cage may be all you need to protect your garden from hail. You can secure the mesh to a fence and drape over plants or create a mesh top and enclosure. The smaller mesh weaves will protect against most sizes of hail pellets.

Blankets or plastic
If you don't have time or the budget to buy mesh, tarps or extra pots , cans or buckets, a trusty blanket may be a quick solution. Using the same technique that you would use for tarps or plastic, secure the blanket. Blankets are generally soft enough not to damage plants and strong enough to shield from hail. Rocks and stacks can be used to secure the blankets which can help absorb some of the hails force.

Hail is unpredictable, but a gardener need not be caught unprepared. Protecting delicate plants and crops can be easy with a little planning.