If There's One Thing I've Learned...
...it's that hail is a constant in Colorado.
When it comes to Colorado weather, Mother Nature is gonna do whatever she’s gonna do! And the possibility of a hail storm slamming your garden will almost always loom over even the sunniest of days. But when if it happens, here are five things you can do before and after the strike:
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1. Don’t panic – and take a walk. - Walk through your garden and assess the damage quickly. Take note of what's been broken, shredded, or just plain decimated. Take photos, especially if you have garden insurance (yes, that’s a thing!) or want to document your recovery process.
2. Trim Damaged Foliage - Prioritize plants with broken stems or uprooted roots for immediate attention. Cut away torn leaves and broken stems to prevent disease and allow new growth. At this point, I clear away the debris and spray my veggies with a 50-50 solution of Neem Oil and water. But be gentle—your plants are already stressed. And use clean, sharp shears.
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3. Water Deeply and Carefully - Hail can compact the soil and stress plants, so water your beds gently to help reduce shock, but avoid overwatering—roots are more prone to rot after trauma. Skip this step if the hail brought significant rain and your garden is already soaked.
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4. Reinforce or Replace - Stake or cage any plants that were smacked down but still have life. If something is too far gone, pull it and replant with seedlings or fast-growing crops (like lettuce, radishes, or herbs) if the season allows.
5. Cover Up for Next Time - If you’re fortunate enough to be near your garden when the threat of severe weather approaches, install hail netting, floating row covers, shade cloth, or even laundry baskets to shield vulnerable crops, especially if you have raised beds. I have eight small beds, and at least 10 swatches of hail cloth that I’ve cut to size for each bed. I keep it close by in case I’m at home and can get to my garden quickly. In other cases, I put hail cloth over my beds and just leave them on until at least July.
It's not pretty, but the mesh allows for water and sunlight to continue filtering through, and in some cases I’m able to grow my lettuces and more delicate
herbs well into the summer!
But most of all?
Remember, even the most damaged gardens are more resilient than you might think. They will begin to repair themselves and start the renewal process – usually in 10 days or so. It’s all about your preparation and your attitude. Just like life.
