Hurricane season is right around the corner, and this year it begins June 1st. This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week and we have several tips to get your landscaping and the area around your home ready in case of major storm. Keep in mind that you can contact a landscaper regarding hurricane readiness and safety of your landscaping, and services cover many of the suggestions below.
1) Make sure if you have a shed, greenhouse, or other outbuildings that the doors and windows are secure and will not detach in heavy winds.
2) Prune your trees so that large branches are not hanging over your home or car, and away from power lines. Do not engage in the inappropriately named "hurricane cut", which removes most of the fronds and can severely damage, or even kill, your trees. Instead trees should be pruned to provide for air flow, which inhibits uprooting. If a tree is obviously unhealthy and therefore weak, it should be removed.
3) Consider planting trees that are more likely to withstand heavy winds in the first place. Native growing trees such as the live oak in Florida are standing all these years because they are strong, hard, resistant to winds, and their roots grow deep.
4) Clear your gutters and downspouts and ensure they are firmly attached and that your drainage system is fully functioning.
5) Be ready to stake tall plants in case of a storm, and if a storm is on its way you should be ready to harvest vegetables or flowers beforehand as those fragile plantings will most likely be damaged anyway.
6) Take inventory of all your lawn ornaments, outdoor furniture, potted plants, grills, flags, awnings, and other loose items around the home. These can become flying projectiles in strong winds and should be stored when a storm is imminent.
7) Consider replacing your gravel beds with softer wood mulch. Small stones can be hazardous if they become airborne in extreme weather conditions.
8) If you live close to the beach and the possibility of flooding is high, keep in mind that salt tolerant plants and trees are most likely going to be the few survivors of a major storm. When saltwater creeps up higher than usual on the coastline and blows its spray through the air, salt tolerance is severely tested.
Stay safe! Hurricane season ends November 30th.
🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚
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