Landscape Tips for Before & After Hurricane Season

    Our area of Florida has experienced major to minor impacts from the two previous hurricanes that passed through Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.  Some of our customers experienced record storm surges for their area with Helene, then Milton followed by producing extreme winds with a substantial amount of rainfall in a short period of time.  The ground became saturated during Milton which led to many large trees succumbing to the strong winds and becoming uprooted.  Many plants are now leaning and may need to be staked and repositioned upright.  There are many ways to prepare prior to the arrival of a major storm, but even with the most preparation, your landscape may need some attention after the storm passes.  Below are some tips to protect and help your plants when we experience impactful weather events.

Adjust Irrigation
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Before & after a major storm, you should adjust your irrigation based on the amount of rainfall your area received.  If you see a storm coming, most likely it will have a large amount of rainfall with it.  Adjust your irrigation to off the day before and after the storm, depending on the amount of rain your location receives.  If your plants are inundated by saltwater, you will want to run your irrigation daily for about a week, delivering about an inch of irrigation each time to thoroughly rinse the roots of your turf grass or plants.  Make sure you remove any storm debris from the saltwater surge prior to watering, this will prevent saltwater runoff from the debris into your plants.  You can also add Gypsum to the soil in areas with a high concentration of sodium to help displace and rinse down through the roots.  If you receive fresh water flooding, you will want to limit your irrigation to allow the soil to dry out.  Remove any mulch that may be touching the base of your plants and make sure the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry prior to watering.

Shrub Maintenance

Some medium sized plants may be leaning due to the strong winds or large amounts of rainfall.  Gently, lean the plant back into its original position and replace soil around the root ball to sturdy the plant back up.  If the top layer of roots is now exposed, you may want to add a little more soil to the top but most likely will need soil packed into the sides of the root ball from the wind blowing the plant around.  If the plant still feels unstable, you can add a stake to help secure it.  You will want to choose the right stake, many that are sold in stores may be too small, we typically use a strong metal or wood material that is pounded deep into the ground.  If your plant was staked prior to the storms, they may need to be adjusted and restaked in a new position, based on the wind direction from the previous storm.  Now is a great time to prune your shrub and remove any damaged vegetation, this will also help stabilize your plant.  Pruning your shrubs, prior to a hurricane approaching, is a great way to help your plants be more resistant to strong winds and heavy rains. 

Large Tree Trimming

If you have large trees in your area then you may want to inspect them before and after hurricane season to keep them healthy and safe.  Look for dead or rotting areas on the tree and have it inspected by an arborist if you are worried it could cause damage to your property.  Some trees are more susceptible to falling over in strong winds due to shallow root systems or damage to their root system.  Trim your tree correctly to reduce broken branches, especially if the tree is near your home or power lines.  If you are considering adding a large tree to your landscape, investigate the Florida native trees that can withstand strong winds and have it maintained yearly to reduce the chances of it falling in the future.  Make sure the tree is planted in a space where it has enough room for the roots to spread and not become damaged from construction or impervious surfaces.
    
     Preparing before and after hurricane season can help your plants throughout our storm season.  It is important to pay attention to the amount of water your plants receive during significant storms and make necessary irrigation adjustments to prevent over or under watering.  Check the drainage in the area and make necessary adjustments to gutters or pooling areas of water with French drains, drywells, or other solutions.  Inspecting and providing the right maintenance to your plants quarterly will help you grow strong healthy plants, reduce wind resistance, and help them establish a deep root system.  Prior to installing large trees, consider wind-resistant trees with deep root systems for a long-lasting tree that can withstand our strong Florida storms.  If you have questions about trees that may work best in your space, give us a call or send a text to 727-222-4477 and schedule a free, onsite consultation.