Dealing With Storm Damage

Published: Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:48:24

By: CL Fornari

Helping Your Landscape To Recover From The Effects of Wind and Salt

---

To Help With General Recovery Apply a light application of an organic fertilizer and/or Bio-Remedy to help stimulate new growth next spring. Apply an inch or two of compost or composted manure to cover exposed roots and to help with root growth this fall. An application of compost keeps the soil warmer for a longer period, allowing for greater root development in Sept/Oct. Leaning/Flattened Plants Pull plants back to their former position and use a staking kit or materials to hold them in place. Leave this through the winter, but remove cables in early summer of 2012 so that they don’t end up choking the plant. Salt and Wind Burn Plants that are burned by salt and wind will shed the most damaged foliage as we go into fall. Rinse off evergreens if you haven’t done so. Applying an application of Wilt Pruf in September or October can help protect an already stressed plant as it goes into the winter. Use the recommendations for fertilizing and compost application given above. Broken Branches/Split Trunks Any branches that are broken should be removed from shrubs and trees so that there is a clean cut: jagged wounds are places where moisture collects and diseases can grow. Make cuts slanted, as vertical as possible, so that water can’t pool on that exposed area. No tar or paint is needed for tree and shrub wounds. Perennials With the exception of woody plants such as lavender and Russian sage, cut damaged perennials down to improve the look of the garden. Mulching with compost or composed manure now will help plant growth in the spring. Call us if you need further help: 508-775-8703