Hurricane Yard Prep: Safeguard Your Home Before the Storm Hits!
Hurricane season has begun!
If you haven’t made any preparations yet, now is the perfect time to get your yard ready for potential storms. Proper yard maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your home and garden during a hurricane.
I see this as a two-step process. The first step is getting your yard cleaned up and pruned for storms.
Trimming for Tranquility
Start by trimming your trees. For those living in Florida, it’s crucial to pay attention to the oak trees. These trees have shallow and wide root systems, making them particularly vulnerable during heavy winds.
Trim away dead and unruly limbs to prevent them from becoming hazardous projectiles during a storm. Earlier this year, my husband pruned the limbs hanging directly over our house, a task that significantly reduced our risk of damage.
If you're not comfortable doing this type of work yourself, schedule an appointment with a certified arborist now.
Arborists are trained to trim your trees properly without harming them, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars in future damage or tree replacement costs.
Some trees, like palms, handle pruning themselves. It’s generally not advisable to trim healthy fronds from your palm trees.
Palms will self-prune during heavy winds, shedding only the dead fronds. If you feel the urge to trim, wait until the fronds are completely brown before removing them from the tree.
By taking these steps to clean up and prune your yard, you can help ensure that your home and garden are as prepared as possible for the hurricane season. Proper preparation can make all the difference when a storm hits, protecting your property and giving you peace of mind.
Right Tree, Right Place
If you are planning to plant a new tree, there are some essential steps to minimize your risks. The first rule is "right tree, right place." This means choosing trees that are well-suited for your landscape and planting them in appropriate locations.
Plant larger trees away from your home, power lines, and other structures to reduce the risk of branches falling on your home or knocking down power lines during a storm.
Did you know some trees are more wind-resistant than others? These include sabal palms, crape myrtle, gumbo limbo, and sea grape. These trees are less likely to suffer damage during high winds, making them a safer choice for hurricane-prone areas.
Recent research suggests that we're not planting trees close enough to each other. Planting groups of mixed trees together can greatly enhance wind resistance.
The trees buffer each other as well as your property and landscape plants. By planting trees in clusters, you create a natural windbreak that helps protect your yard and home from the full force of hurricane winds.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your new trees contribute to the safety and resilience of your landscape.
Proper tree selection and planting strategies can significantly reduce the risks associated with hurricanes, helping to safeguard your home and garden.
Mulch
Mulch is certainly a necessity to keep our beds looking nice and weed-free. However, too much of the wrong type of mulch is not necessarily a good thing.
During the summer rains, mulch often gets washed away from plant beds, creating a mess and requiring frequent replacement.
Rock and gravel mulch can be especially problematic. During heavy winds, imagine rock and gravel flying around your yard—tiny projectiles looking for a new place to land! This can be dangerous for both your property and anyone nearby.
I personally use a 2 to 3-inch layer of Florimulch. This mulch is a great cypress alternative made from melaleuca, a non-native invasive tree growing in our Florida wetlands.
Florimulch seems to stay in place better than other mulches I have tried, reducing the need for constant replacement and providing a more stable covering for my plant beds.
Choosing the right type of mulch and applying it correctly can make a significant difference in maintaining a tidy and safe yard during hurricane season. By opting for a mulch that stays in place and avoids potential hazards, you can enhance the resilience and appearance of your garden.
Protect the Stormwater System
If a tropical storm, hurricane, or heavy rain is imminent, do not spread fertilizer. The fertilizer will likely wash away, providing little to no benefit to your lawn.
In fact, some states, like Florida, have enacted a fertilizer ban during the rainy season. This ban helps keep fertilizer out of the stormwater system, preventing potential environmental damage.
Spreading fertilizer before a storm can lead to nutrient runoff, which can harm local waterways and ecosystems.
And speaking of our stormwater systems - protect storm drains! Do not blow or rake leaves or grass clippings into drains.
Make sure gutters are securely attached, pointed away from your home, and are cleared of debris.
By adhering to these guidelines and respecting local regulations, you can help protect the environment while ensuring your lawn remains healthy and resilient.
Hurricane Watch/Hurricane Warning Issued
Once you know a storm is on its way, it's time for step two. This step applies even if you live in an apartment and have a balcony or patio that you use.
First, secure all objects. This includes container plants, hanging baskets, yard art, patio furniture, garbage cans, toys and other loose items, such as bird feeders and wind chimes.
Move them to a sheltered location to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles in high winds. If some plants are too heavy to move, lay them flat on the ground to reduce the risk of them being uprooted or damaged.
Next, turn off your irrigation systems. Your plants will receive plenty of water during the hurricane, making additional irrigation unnecessary and potentially wasteful.
If you use rain barrels and they are empty, move them to a secure location. If they are connected to a gutter, disconnect them and allow them to overflow from the top.
If there is already a significant amount of water in the barrels, fill them up the rest of the way so they are less likely to blow away.
By securing your outdoor items and preparing your irrigation system and rain barrels, you can minimize potential damage and ensure that your garden and outdoor space are as protected as possible during the storm.
Proper preparation can significantly reduce the risk of injury and property damage, keeping you and your surroundings safe
Hurricane Season is Here!
Hurricane season demands proactive steps to protect your home and garden. By cleaning up and pruning your yard, choosing the right trees and planting them wisely, using appropriate mulch, avoiding fertilizer application before storms, and securing loose objects, you can significantly reduce potential damage.
Proper preparation not only safeguards your property but also ensures the safety of your surroundings.
Remember, the time you invest in these preparations can make a big difference when a storm hits, providing you with peace of mind and a more resilient yard.
Please check out this comprehensive hurricane guide I wrote earlier this year: Hurricane Havoc - Must-Know Tips to Weather the Storm Safely!
Additional Resources:
5 Ways to Prepare Your Yard for Hurricane SeasonHow to Prepare Your Yard for a Hurricane
Hurricane Landscaping (UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions)
Prepare Your Yard for Hurricane Season (25 Easy tips)