We’ve just had another battering of wind this weekend – and Saturday night I ended up outside after midnight, hunting round for the compost bin lid.
I also noticed that the net tunnel over one stretch of broad beans had twisted but decided not to tackle that until it was light again.
No wonder the beans have been struggling. Not only have they been getting a severe battering but then they’ve been exposed and an open gambit for the pigeons.
I’m not so bothered about the beans, however. The latest apple tree, which I planted last November, has been rocking badly. I tried to stabilise it with bricks round the stem but they don’t seem to be having the desired effect.
At this rate, the roots are going to suffer. So, I will have to get thinking about a strategy to improve the situation.
Is your tree staked down? We have to stake ours down for the first 3years here…mostly because of the wicked winds.
Yes, the tree is staked but the stakes are getting knocked about by the wind, too. I can’t dig deep enough to make the stakes secure, which wasn’t a problem with the other trees but the new one is in a more exposed spot.
They make a metal dog run post that actually screws into the ground. We put those in at an angle to hold down my grandsons trampoline. Stronger/easier than just a stake😃
That’s an idea, thank you.
Could you try bashing in another stake at 90 degrees to the first stake and tying them together? Lots of municipal trees are staked in this manner.
Yes, that seems a good idea. Funny how you notice things but it doesn’t click until someone else mentions it – thank you!
The wind is so powerful at the moment. We had a garden door banging all night and I was too sleepy to investigate. Not a good decision
I agree with your other correspondents – a stake at an angle works best.
Thanks, Clare!
Wind can be so destructive .. I know all about it with my veg garden perched on a hill
You must have a lot of damage then!
It is very seasonal .. with spring usually the worst
At least you perhaps get some respite in the summer.