Extension ServiceCan my bushes survive after hot, dry winds?
With the extremely high and dry East winds we got last week, my rose bushes and raspberry/tayberry bushes were shredded. Now what? Do I prune them like in the fall? Do I water them or withhold water and let nature do its thing?
Water the plants and apply several inches of an organic mulch to help slow evaporation. Wood chips would work for these plants.
Apply the water slowly so that it has a chance to soak in. Consider using a soaker hose as it should "sweat" or ooze rather than spray, thereby watering at a very slow rate.
Even then, the soil may be so excessively dry that the water will run off before it soaks in. If so, you will need to run several on-off cycles on one day. Repeat in a week.
Before you prune, consider watering them thoroughly, then wait at least several weeks, watering as needed, to allow the plants and their root systems to re-hydrate.
