Get ready for bad weather as it’s Hurricane Season. Prepare landscaping for hurricanes to weather the storm.
Hurricanes can cause massive destruction to infrastructure and agriculture, but storms can also damage landscaping. Follow the tips from a UF/IFAS article to prepare landscaping for hurricanes so that it is best able to weather a storm.
Prepare Landscaping for Hurricanes
The UF/IFAS article advised to take the following steps:
Evaluate Your Landscape
“Start by assessing your landscape’s vulnerabilities. Identify weak or dead trees, loose branches, and other potential hazards that could be exacerbated by strong winds. Remove dead trees and trim branches to prevent them from becoming projectiles during the storm.”
Anchor Outdoor Items
“Secure outdoor furniture, décor, and other items that could become projectiles in strong winds. Move lightweight objects indoors, and use anchors or tie-downs for larger items like patio furniture, grills, and potted plants.”
Prune and Maintain
“Regular maintenance can prevent excess damage during a hurricane. Keep trees and shrubs properly pruned to reduce their wind resistance. Remove weak or overhanging branches that could break and cause damage.”
Reinforce Structures
“Inspect your fences, trellises, and other landscape structures for signs of weakness. Reinforce these structures as needed to prevent them from collapsing during the storm.”
Trim and Secure Roof Vegetation
“If you have vegetation on your roof, such as vines or potted plants, trim them back to minimize the risk of damage to your roofing materials. Secure any loose items on the roof to prevent them from being lifted by strong winds.”
Turn Off Irrigation Systems
“Before the storm arrives, turn off your irrigation system. Excessive water can saturate the soil and potentially uproot plants during the storm.”
Document Your Landscape
“Before the hurricane hits, take photographs or videos of your landscape. This documentation can be valuable for insurance purposes in case your property sustains damage.”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.