Weather & supports
Protect young plants and prepare for storms
Check the forecast and prioritise loose pots, unsupported climbers and lightweight equipment.
When to do it
Before strong wind or heavy rain, while conditions are safe.
What you need
- Soft ties
- Stable screens and fixings
- A sheltered place for movable pots
How to do it
- Check the forecast and prioritise loose pots, unsupported climbers and lightweight equipment.
- Move manageable containers into shelter without blocking exits. Remove or secure loose tools, shade cloth and covers that could become windblown.
- Check supports and soft ties, leaving stem room. A porous windbreak can reduce exposure without sealing the bed in stagnant air.
- Clear accessible surface drains and keep paths open. Avoid climbing or handling large structures as wind rises.
- After the storm, inspect from safe ground. Re-secure loosened young plants, remove broken small growth appropriately and seek help for unstable trees or structural damage.
What success looks like
- Pots and supports remain stable and plants are not rubbing against ties.
Watch out for
- Using a flimsy solid sheet as a windbreak.
- Attempting repairs during dangerous wind.
Related help
Check supports and tie in climbing plants
Give growing stems support without squeezing or rubbing them.
Check where rainwater goes
Work out whether water is reaching the soil or leaving it waterlogged.
Sources and review
Checked 24 September 2026. Source-checked editorial guidance; not field-tested or independently reviewed by a horticulturist.