Wind has been my biggest problem so far, and so far the best thing I've found is just preventative stuff, to stop the plant from being damaged in the first place. I stake a lot of things, actually pretty much everything in my garden is on supports of some type. I use a lot of string lol. If I could afford it, I'd probably put up windscreen or something.

Honestly I have never heard of wind damage "stunting" plants so I'd be much more inclined to blame it on something else. Most vegetable plants will quickly outgrow any wind damage if they have decent soil, adequate nutrients, and aren't excessively watered so that the roots rot.

But protecting young transplants from wind damage is always a good idea and many options are available from a simple wind break of some kind for the whole garden area to all sorts of individual plant protectors - both commercial and homemade.

Gallon milk jugs with the bottom cut out are common around here as are small buckets, old plastic flower pots, and deli containers with the bottom cut out. Then there are small cages of cheap wire with a plastic trash bag wrapped around the sides to block the wind. Even cardboard boxes worth through a couple of rains.

If we knew where you lived or even just your gardening zone it would help to possibly ID the real cause of the problem.

Dave

Were your transplants root-bound?

Thanks to all for your input. I'm getting back to gardening after about a 20 year layoff. I lost my first round of starts to gophers. The second round was planted during constant winds in northern CA. I've never had a wind problem before. The plants were healthy when set out and the soil in the raised beds is rich. We learn each year for the next one. :) Thank

My mom uses old wooden (cedar?) shingles on 2 or 3 sides to temporarily protect young transplants from wind or to shade them for a bit after planting out.