🌿 12 Days After Storm Goretti: Getting Your Garden Back on Track in Cornwall

Blimmin’ heck, Storm Goretti really shook Cornwall!

When the storm hit on 8th January, the gusty winds and heavy rain left a lot of gardens looking worse for wear. Trees snapped, fences blew over, lawns turned soggy, and for some, even house windows were pushed inwards.

Honestly, it was proper scary.

Now, on 20th January, almost two weeks later, many homeowners and businesses across Cornwall are starting to look at their gardens and outdoor spaces and wondering where to begin.

Here at ML Rashleigh Landscaping, we’ve been out helping people across Cornwall, from Falmouth and Truro to Redruth and Helston, with storm damage garden restoration. If your outdoor space is still feeling the effects of Storm Goretti, here’s some friendly, practical advice on what to do next, based on what we’re seeing on the ground every day.

🔍 Step 1: Safety Check After Storm Damage (Better Late Than Never!)

Even 12 days on, there can still be hidden hazards in your garden. Before you start moving debris or trimming trees, take a careful look around:

• Loose or leaning branches — some may have weakened further over time

• Damaged fences or gates — check stability before leaning on them

• Windows and garden structures — avoid anything that looks unsafe

• Waterlogged areas — puddles can hide debris, sharp objects, or holes

Taking just five minutes to check safety can prevent injuries and further damage, and it’s always the first step in any professional garden restoration in Cornwall.

If something looks risky, it’s best to leave it alone and call in a local Cornwall landscaper who knows how to deal with storm damage safely.

🌱 Step 2: Assess the Garden Damage Properly

Once it’s safe, take your time to see what needs attention. Some damage may actually worsen in the days after a storm, especially where water has soaked into the ground or structures.

For homeowners, look out for:

• Broken or uprooted trees and shrubs

• Waterlogged lawns or flower beds

• Borders and hedges that have been flattened or shifted

• Patios, decking, fences or garden walls showing cracks or movement

For businesses:

Check outdoor seating areas, landscaped borders, signage, and customer-facing spaces, especially anything that could affect safety or first impressions.

📸 Pro tip: Take photos of any damage, they’re useful for insurance claims and extremely helpful when speaking to a professional landscaper in Cornwall about what needs doing.

🛠️ Step 3: Prioritise What Needs Doing First

Storm recovery can feel overwhelming, so breaking it down into manageable steps really helps:

1. Safety hazards — block off or remove anything that could injure someone

2. Prevent further damage — repair leaning fences, clear blocked drains, cover exposed soil

3. Salvage what you can — gently stake small trees and shrubs that might still recover

Tackling storm damage in the right order makes garden restoration in Cornwall far easier and avoids creating bigger, more expensive problems later.

🌼 Step 4: Cleaning Up & Restoring Your Garden

By now, debris may have dried out a bit, making some jobs easier. Depending on the level of damage, your garden may need a mix of soft and hard landscaping:

Soft landscaping:

• Replant shrubs

• Tidy flower beds

• Reseed lawns

• Clear leaves and smaller debris

Hard landscaping:

• Repair or replace fencing

• Fix patios and decking

• Rebuild stone walls

• Reset loose paving slabs

Even small improvements can completely transform how your garden looks and feels. For businesses, tidying outdoor areas quickly helps keep premises safe, accessible, and professional-looking for customers and staff alike.

🌬️ Step 5: Make Your Cornwall Garden More Storm-Resilient

Storm Goretti was a reminder of just how exposed Cornwall gardens can be to strong winds and heavy rain. A few preventative measures now can save a lot of stress in the future:

• Plant wind-resistant shrubs and trees in exposed areas

• Keep trees and hedges well-pruned

• Ensure fences and walls are secure and properly installed

• Improve drainage in soggy or low-lying spots

These changes make a huge difference for long-term garden maintenance in Cornwall and help your outdoor space cope better when the next storm arrives.

👷 Why Professional Landscaping Help Makes Life Easier

Some storm cleanup is DIY-friendly, but bigger jobs, like fallen trees, damaged patios, or fencing, are best left to experienced professionals.

At ML Rashleigh Landscaping, we’ve supported Cornwall homeowners and businesses for decades. We understand local garden conditions, coastal winds, heavy rainfall, and soil types, and how to restore gardens properly and safely.

We can:

• Remove fallen trees and debris safely

• Repair fences, patios, decking and stone walls

• Restore lawns, flower beds and planting schemes

• Advise on storm-proof landscaping and maintenance

Our aim is simple: safe, stress-free, long-lasting results that keep your garden looking great all year round.

🤝 A Friendly Word from Tom

Storm Goretti was proper scary, no two ways about it. My family home was actually shaking that night. But even 12 days later, gardens can bounce back.

With a bit of care, practical steps, and a helping hand if needed, your outdoor space can look great again. We love helping Cornwall gardens return to their best, whether that’s a small family garden or a large commercial outdoor space.

📞 Need a Hand After Storm Goretti?

If your garden is still recovering, don’t worry. Start with safety, tidy what you can, and reach out if you need help.

We’re happy to offer advice, a free assessment, or carry out full storm damage garden restoration in Cornwall.

Friendly. Practical. No pressure.

That’s the ML Rashleigh way. 💚

Looking for professional garden/commercial grounds restoration in Cornwall?
Visit our Landscaping Services page to see how we can help.