Protecting Your Garden from Wildfires: Tips for Coping with Smoke and Ash

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This week, the adverse effects of hundreds of wildfires blazing through Canada were felt as far as the Eastern U.S., with a significant decline in air quality, a problem all too familiar to many Western states. In the New York City suburbs where I reside, smoggy, orange-tinted air became the norm, briefly earning the “hazardous” label from monitoring agencies.

During the worst of these conditions, I found myself wearing a mask even indoors and limiting my dog’s outdoor activities.

My garden plants, however, had no choice but to endure the polluted air, absorbing toxins through their leaf pores.

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When confronted with severe smoke or ash effects, primary concerns naturally revolve around the safety of people, homes, and pets. However, once these are secured, you might discover that your plants need attention too.

“Plants can rebound from short-term exposure to smoke particles, but sustained heavy smoke is a whole different situation,” states Oregon State University Extension community horticulturist and plant pathologist, Brooke Edmunds.

She explains, “The impact varies based on your proximity to the smoke source. There can also be localized effects where one garden is blanketed in ash while another just a half-mile away is untouched due to wind patterns.”

Pollutants and fine particulate matter settling on your plants can obstruct sunlight, crucial for photosynthesis. This leads to reduced energy, slow growth, and weakened vitality in affected plants.

In the long run, the volatile organic compounds in smoke can interfere with nutrient absorption in leaves and other plant parts. Any resulting damage, however, may not be immediately evident.

Edmunds’ advice to home gardeners is to “monitor your plants closely throughout the rest of the summer and provide extra care, as such incidents can contribute to overall plant stress,” adding optimistically, “most will survive.”

Rinsing off smoke deposits from plants using a gentle hose spray and subsequently offering a slow, prolonged watering to rehydrate them can be beneficial. Refrain from using fertilizer until air conditions normalize and plants have completely recovered.

For gardens with ash deposits, Edmunds warns against the use of leaf blowers due to potential inhalation risks, emphasizing, “the gardener’s safety should always be paramount.”

Ash can alter soil chemistry, increasing pH levels, and limiting nutrient availability for some plants, especially those that thrive in acidic environments. After wildfires, if you notice significant ash accumulation in your garden, it’s advisable to get your soil tested at your local extension service and seek their guidance.

In areas frequently affected by wildfires, consider planting native species, which tend to be more resilient than exotic plants. Extension services, botanical gardens, or horticultural societies can offer suggestions on suitable plant varieties for your region.

Edmunds reassures, “People often worry about edible plants, but smoke doesn’t penetrate into fruits or vegetables.” In case of ash residue, she suggests cleaning them with a 1:9 vinegar to water solution, or simply peeling them, adding that it’s still early in the season and unlikely to cause significant problems.

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For any spring gardening queries, please reach out to Jessica Damiano at [email protected] with “Gardening Question” in the subject line. Selected questions will be answered in future AP gardening columns. Damiano, an AP gardening column regular, is also the publisher of the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter, to which you can subscribe here for weekly gardening tips and guidance.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about garden protection from wildfires

More about garden protection from wildfires

• Oregon State University Extension
• Native Plant Society
• AP Gardening Columns
• Weekly Dirt Newsletter