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Weather forecasting can be a slightly hit and miss job, but when the weatherman tells you a hurricane is on the way, pay attention. Especially all you vegetable gardeners out there!
Whatever sort of weather is in store as Earl, followed by Fiona, move up the Atlantic coast, there are bound to be strong winds and driving rain. The two combined will wreak havoc among any plants with hanging fruits so you need to take steps now, before the storm hits, to protect your tomatoes, eggplant, winter squash and cucumbers. Look out for your fruit trees, too.
Here are some pointers to keep your garden looking good through a hurricane:
* Put away anything that could blow around, like watering cans, plastic chairs and tables, small flower pots. You dont want flying furniture to crush your plants.
* Tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, butternut squash, cucumbers - pick anything that is ripe or almost ripe.
* Swiss chard is at its peak so pick all the large leaves, blanch and store for the winter. The smaller leaves should be fine.
* If your tomatoes and vine plants are growing up trellises, stake them down with heavy duty tent pegs and wrap with row cover, netting, or even burlap.
* Stake your eggplant. The fruits are heavy now so you dont want the plant to twist and break. Wrap if they are in an exposed spot.
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