CHARLIE ALBONE: Picking Up the Pieces After the Storm

If your garden looks a little worse for wear after last weekend’s wild weather, you are certainly not alone. Across Perth and much of Western Australia, strong winds, heavy rain and flying debris have left many gardens looking battered and bruised.

Whenever a storm rolls through, it is tempting to rush outside the moment the skies clear and start cutting, pruning and cleaning everything up. But after years of dealing with storm damage, I have learnt that the first job is actually to slow down. Grab a cup of tea, take a walk around the garden and assess what has happened.

The good news is that gardens are remarkably resilient. What often looks disastrous immediately after a storm can recover surprisingly quickly with a little patience and some sensible intervention.

Safety should always come first. Before tackling any clean-up, look for hanging branches, partially uprooted trees or limbs that may have become lodged in canopies overhead. These are often referred to as widow-makers for good reason. If a branch is beyond your ability to remove safely, call an arborist. No garden job is worth a trip to hospital.

Once you have identified any hazards, start with the easy wins by collecting fallen branches, raking up debris and clearing pathways. I like to sort material into two piles: one for composting and one for larger timber that can be chipped or used as firewood later. Storms often create an incredible amount of organic matter, and it seems a shame to send it all to landfill if it can be reused in the garden.

After the major debris is removed, turn your attention to damaged plants. One mistake many gardeners make is immediately pruning everything that looks untidy. Torn branches should certainly be cleaned up, but avoid giving plants a full haircut just because they look windblown. Broken stems and shredded growth can often protect healthy tissue beneath while the plant recovers.

Where branches have snapped, make clean cuts back to a healthy growth point or branch junction. Sharp secateurs or a pruning saw will leave a far cleaner wound than trying to break or tear damaged material away. For shrubs that have been flattened by the wind, give them a few days before making any major decisions. You would be surprised how many plants stand themselves back up once conditions settle.

Trees deserve special attention after severe weather. Check trunks and major limbs carefully for splits or cracks. Small branches can usually be removed easily, but structural damage is another matter entirely. If you are unsure about the stability of a tree, get professional advice. What looks like a minor crack today can become a major problem during the next storm.

Once the obvious damage is dealt with, take advantage of something the storm has provided — a deep soaking. The soil profile is likely carrying more moisture than it has for months. This makes it an excellent time to apply mulch. A fresh layer around garden beds will help lock that moisture in and reduce evaporation when warmer weather returns.

It is also worth checking your drainage, as heavy rain has a habit of revealing problems that remain hidden during dry periods. Look for areas where water pooled, garden beds that remained saturated, or sections where runoff caused erosion. These are valuable clues, and fixing drainage issues now will save headaches during the next downpour.

The lawn often looks particularly rough after storms. Leaves, twigs and debris can smother grass if left sitting too long. A gentle rake will remove most of the mess and allow light and air back on to the lawn surface. Avoid mowing immediately if the ground remains soft, as this can cause compaction and leave unsightly wheel marks.

One thing I always do after a major weather event is take notes. Which trees coped well? Which plants suffered? Did a particular area flood repeatedly? Storms are excellent teachers. They show us where the garden is strong and where improvements can be made.

Perhaps a windbreak is needed. Maybe a tree is too exposed. Perhaps a drainage swale or additional planting could slow water movement across the site. Every storm provides information if we are willing to pay attention.