Three Ways to Help Your Garden Recover From Wildfire Smoke

Growers on the East Coast and elsewhere in the country have experienced their first wildfire season in the past few weeks. This means that even people who have been gardening for years may not know how to help their outdoor plants recover from exposure to smoke and maybe even ash from Canada. Here’s what you need to know.

How to help your garden recover from wildfire smoke

The extent of smoke and ash damage to your garden depends on your proximity to the wildfire, as well as recent weather, especially wind direction and speed, and whether there has been any precipitation. But generally speaking, there are a few initial steps you need to take to promote healthy growth for your plants through the end of the season:

Your safety matters most

Even if the smoke has cleared by now, check your area’s air quality index and wear an N95 mask. And, of course, don’t go outside if it’s still unsafe.

Assess the situation carefully

Before taking any action, inspect your garden, being careful not to disturb any ash or other particles that may have settled on or around your plants.

“Avoid creating ash clouds that you might accidentally inhale,” says Brooke Edmunds, head gardener at Oregon State University who specializes in horticulture.

Rinse your plants

Edmunds says that whether your plants have a thick layer of ash or a thin film of soot, or even if they look perfectly normal, never use a leaf blower.

Instead, she recommends gently spraying them with water from a garden hose. “When doing so, wear at least a face covering, then wash your hands and avoid getting ash into the house on shoes or clothes,” she adds.

Keep rinsing regularly

After the initial garden rescue operation , continue to hose down the plants —both above and below the leaves—at least once a week.