Protecting Your Garden from Extreme Weather in the Northern Beaches & Inner West

Gardens in the Northern Beaches and Inner West face a unique set of challenges when it comes to extreme weather. From scorching heatwaves and sudden storms to the occasional frost, these conditions can put your plants under serious stress. Without the right preparation, your garden can suffer from heat stress, root rot, wind damage, or frost burn. With some simple and effective strategies, you can keep your outdoor space thriving no matter what the weather throws at it.

What Extreme Weather Can Do to Your Garden

Heatwaves common in summer can cause plants to wilt or suffer sunburn on their leaves, leading to long term damage. Heavy rain and storms risk waterlogging and soil erosion, washing away nutrients your plants need to thrive. Strong winds can snap stems, uproot young trees, and blow debris that damages fragile foliage. Frost may be uncommon across the Northern Beaches and Inner West, but it can still pose a hidden threat. Freezing temperatures can rupture plant cells, causing leaves to wither, brown and die once the weather warms up.

If left unprotected, these events can severely weaken or kill your plants, undoing months or years of care.

Storm Proof Your Garden

When storms approach, it’s important to protect your garden against wind, heavy rain, and even hail. Applying a thick layer of mulch, compost, or bark around your plants can help reduce soil erosion and keep moisture in the ground. For tender or exposed plants, wrapping them with burlap or frost blankets will shield them from harsh winds and cold.

Strong winds are often the most damaging part of a storm for gardens. To reduce wind impact, install permeable windbreaks like hedges or fences that let some air through but buffer the strongest gusts. You can also create temporary windbreaks by staking up shade cloth on the windward side of vulnerable plants. For particularly fragile plants, using chicken wire or garden netting adds extra support.

If hail is forecasted, old shade cloths work wonders as a protective cover when weighted down with bricks or stones. This simple step helps prevent leaves from bruising and breaking during hailstorms.

Keep Your Garden Cool During Heatwaves

During the Northern Beaches and Inner West’s hotter months, heatwaves can take a toll on your garden. Providing extra shade is key, whether that’s with shade cloths or strategically planting fast growing shrubs to protect sensitive plants from direct sunlight.

Healthy plants cope better with heat, so consistent watering and feeding are essential. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation and help roots absorb moisture before the day heats up. Mulching is a great way to keep soil temperatures down and lock moisture in, keeping roots cool and hydrated.

For potted plants, it’s best to move them to shaded or sheltered spots to avoid scorching and drying out.

Defend Against Frost

While frost is less common here than in cooler parts of Australia, it can still catch local gardeners off guard, especially during chilly winter nights in the Inner West. Even when frost isn’t visible, internal ice crystals can damage plant cells.

Simple frost defence includes covering seedlings and delicate plants with jars or tins overnight, removing the coverings once the sun’s up. Watering plants in the morning helps keep roots hydrated and can reduce frost damage risk by raising soil temperatures slightly. Wrapping plants with frost cloth or burlap also offers good protection.

Why Preparation Matters

Healthy plants are far more resilient. Regular feeding, watering, and mulching not only keep your garden looking great but also build its natural resistance to weather extremes. Being proactive by checking forecasts, preparing protective coverings and reinforcing vulnerable areas means less damage and faster recovery.

At Artview Landscapes, we create gardens that withstand the changing weather patterns of the Northern Beaches and Inner West. Whether you need help with storm proofing, heatwave protection, or frost defence, we can tailor solutions that fit your garden’s needs, no matter what the weather has in store.