Be proactive…prepare your landscape for hurricanes. Did you know hurricane season in Florida begins May 15 and ends November 30? That’s over half of the year so it’s time to get busy. Here is a list of a few things to put on your to-do-list to prepare your landscape for hurricanes.

Keep stormwater systems clean by

• keeping grass clippings and other debris out of the storm drains.

  

• making sure gutters are firmly attached and directing water away from the home.
• clearing gutters of leaves, branches and other debris so water moves away from your home during heavy rains.
• placing pavers in a runoff area to reduce soil erosion.

Check trees and shrubs in the landscape for

• plants that are too close to the house; prune these away from the home and get the debris out of the yard before a hurricane.
• remove dead trees and shrubs from the landscape; take care of hazardous trees before the storm by using a certified arborist. Find a certified arborist by clicking here.
• remove broken, hanging or dead palm fronds and remove debris.

Once a storm is eminent, add these tasks to your landscape preparation list.

• Move container plants, hanging baskets, yard art, patio furniture and other lose items to a sheltered area. If plants are too heavy to move, place them behind a hedge close to the foundation and lay them flat.
• Turn irrigation systems off. With all the rain associated with hurricanes, the last thing your plants will need is more water.
• If you have rain-barrels, leave the spigots open. If they are connected to the gutter, disconnect them. If they aren’t full of water, move them to a secure location.

For more information on preparation and recovery of hurricanes, click here.

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