Most gardeners put a substantial amount of time and effort into their gardens, whether they grow vegetables or flowers.  It is always disappointing, therefore, when the skies open up and hail ruins the plants that have been so painstakingly cared for.  Short of growing all your plants inside, there is no way to be one hundred percent protected from hail.

Just remember that it is possible to take a few simple precautions that could save your garden in the event of a severe hailstorm.  If you live in an area where hail falls frequently, you may wish to create your own hail shelter that can be easily put up over your plants.  If you have your plants up against the wall or fence, fitting your shelter can be quite simple.

Many gardeners install unobtrusive brackets along the wall.  Then, they take a piece of cardboard or light fiberglass and attach folding legs.  When the skies threaten hail, all you have to do is take your portable "roof" out to the garden, extend the legs, and then attach it to the brackets.

For smaller plants or new shoots, it is a good idea to have extra clay pots nearby – when the weather report calls for hail, you simply upend the pots over the plants. You can also create portable shelters for your plants by attaching fiberglass or cardboard sheets together in an inverted "V." These shelters can be placed in the garden all day if necessary, because they allow fresh air to reach your plants. However, you should not use clear plastic or fiberglass because this may create a greenhouse effect that could overheat your plants.