How to Protect Your Garden from Hurricanes in the Lowcountry
Weathering the storm
Story by Sheila Paz and Suzanne Barton
Hurricane season is here, and it’s a good time to get your garden ready. Between heavy rains and strong winds, even the most well-tended beds can take a beating. Hilton Head usually sees 4 to 6 inches of rain a month this time of year, with the biggest downpours hitting in August and September. To help you prepare, we checked in with Suzanne Barton, manager of The Green Thumb. Whether you’re new to gardening or just want a refresher, her tips can help your yard weather whatever’s coming.
[LOCAL Life] Hurricane season is here. How can I prepare my garden? [Suzanne Barton] First things first. Ensure your gutters are clear. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow which may damage plants and pool in your garden. This can lead to problems like root rot and fungal diseases.
[LL] How can I protect my planting beds? [SB] Avoid using tarps and tents for protection, as they often cannot withstand the wind and will break free, causing more damage than protection. Ensure your planting beds are draining properly; the last thing you want is heavy rain and water pooling in the beds. Steady rain does not hurt plants, but puddling can.
[LL] What should I do with my potted plants? [SB] For potted plants that you can lift, either bring them inside or to the leeward side, the side of the house sheltered from the wind. If you cannot move the plants, elevate them on pot feet to keep them off the ground, ensuring they can drain more efficiently and reducing the risk of sitting in puddles.
Choosing free-draining soil can help plants stay healthy during heavy rains. A sandy, organic-rich soil can help the planting bed stay drier. 
In addition to clearing the gutters, move planters away from gutters and downspouts. This helps avoid pooling. 
Pot feet are available in various sizes and shapes. Go with plastic, clay or ceramic.
Summer breaks in the garden
“Most flowering plants benefit from mid-summer pruning and fertilizing. Annuals, in particular, are “bloomed out” and will appreciate an application of a timed-release fertilizer. Cut back leggy annuals, dead-heading (removing spent blossoms) throughout the season, will encourage more flowers.
Some flowering plants (for instance, geraniums) don’t bloom in the hottest months. They become semi-dormant and will revive as the weather cools. Tomatoes will not set fruit when nighttime temperatures are over 78 degrees. Other vegetables will also slow down production in the intense heat. Keep them watered and fertilize when it begins to cool down. You can have a good autumn production.
Cut back herbs, including mint, oregano and basil, to keep them compact and keep them from setting seed too soon.”
