HI! We had some crazy crazy crazy storms last night! Hail and rain and tornadoes and wind and what not for over 2 hours. Needless to say my flowers a re a mess today! I planted mostly petunias with other things sprinkled in. Are they going to be okay? What do I need to do to help them recover, or do you think they are a lost cause. Surprisingly I also have a vegetable garden and from the window it doesnt look too bad although I still need to go out and take a closer look. I would really love some advice on how to help my flowers recover as gardening is about my only hobby! Thanks!
I can't really say without looking. It is a judgement call. Most of the time with flowers you can do more damage by trying to do anything.
So far as the vegetables go, branches that are broken need to be pruned off because they will die anyway and can invite pests and disease in their weakened state. Other than that you have to wait till they heal.
Petunias usually bounce back pretty quick. Next year, if you hae the space. Try planting things in pots. I have a garden but I also have a patio filled with potted plants (veggies and flowers). When we are under a tornado watch I move the pots to the garage. You can even try transplanting this year.
The petunias should be fine; as Jo W. said, prune broken stems. Most plants are pretty resilient and although they may look bedraggled for a while, will perk up in a few days. Petunias are prolific bloomers and bloom better after "deadheading", removing dead blossoms. Think of this as nature's pruning.
I've had 5 ft cornstalks and tomatoes in cages blown over, lifted them back up, firmed the soil a little, and they continued to thrive. If any are uprooted, just tamp them back in place. Not to worry.
I'm not sure what to do either I'm in the same boat but I thought its was kinda ironic that this happened to both of us. I live I colorado springs and I'm assuming you do to lol
