Hurricane season, Florida

It’s a fact of life here in Florida. We are in the path of hurricanes. Some years we get one or two and then we go for a few years without any. We just never know. No matter what the predictions, it’s always better to be prepared then to wait for the last minute. Besides knowing where our shutters are,  stocking up on water and food, which is all for the good of us humans, what should we do to prepare our yards to survive a strong hurricane?

From Campbell Property Management’s Blog

“With summer ahead, it’s time to prepare for the heat, storms and humidity that occur in south Florida. It is time to prepare for the hurricane season. It is important that along with your personal and home safety, you also make sure to prepare your landscaping.

• Trim your trees – In order to prevent damage, it is important to trim dead or damaged branches from trees, especially of those close to homes or power lines.
• Use mulch instead of rocks – When it comes to material to control weeds, it is advised to use mulch as opposed to rocks or pebbles. Not only will mulch give nutrients to your soil but it is much less dangerous in high winds during hurricanes.
• Bring in anything that might be a wind hazard – Things like potted plants and decorations could be potentially dangerous if a storm occurs, make sure to move them inside if an impending hurricane is on its way.
• Stake young trees – It’s good to stake new trees and plants in order for them to stay put during storms. Make sure there is not too much tension or they are likely to snap.
• Decorative plants – Summer is Florida’s rainy season, which means it is time to take advantage of not having to water as much. Summer is the perfect time to plant ornamental plants. Such plants include periwinkle, portulaca, and caladium “elephant ear”.
• Plant herbs that thrive in heat – It’s a good idea to begin planting herbs such as basil, rosemary and cilantro now in order for them to grow in the summer. These herbs also do a great job repelling mosquitoes.
• Prune your shrubs – In order to help your flowers bloom more, lightly prune any flowering shrubs you might have such as hibiscus and hydrangea.”

These are just a few of the things we would recommend. It never hurts to have us come over, take a look at your yard and garden, and perhaps give you an estimate of what we can take care of for you to prepare your home and yard for the hurricane season.

John Plantenberg
Palm Coast Lawn & Landscape
Vero Beach, Florida