West Midlands gardeners warned to 'protect your plants' during wet and windy Storm Austen
Expert gardeners have warned to hold off on mowing before and after the storm
With the first named storm of the season in full swing, many people may be worrying for their garden with high winds, rain and damage caused to plants.
Storm Austen has been issued a yellow warning by The Met Office from 10am until 9pm across the West Midlands.
Expert gardener Mark Dwelly has warned to hold off on mowing before and after the storm as mowing wet grass compacts the soil and can lead to patchy growth. Gardeners should also prioritise drainage by checking for any pooling water, particularly around raised beds and vegetable patches and create channels to encourage water flow.
Mark Dwelly, Head Gardener at Audley Stanbridge Earls said: “This week's relentless rain has certainly presented challenges for our gardens across the UK.
“While a good soaking can be beneficial, constant downpours can lead to waterlogged soil, hinder weed control, and even damage delicate plants.”
Gardeners are encouraged to support vulnerable plants by caging susceptible plants like tomatoes or peppers to prevent them from toppling over due to heavy rain.
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.