Our wonderful partners at Valley Crest have provided us with this list of ways to prepare your home garden for hurricane season. Valley Crest maintains our Gardens and grounds here at the Museum.
- Structural pruning (hazard pruning, canopy reduction/thinning) your large trees prior to a hurricane dramatically minimizes the risk/damage that a hurricane can cause the tree and subsequently the structures within proximity of that tree. The expense to properly prune a tree pro-actively and prior to a storm is far less than it will be in an emergency response situation.
- Palm pruning (removal of dead fronds and old seed pods) before June 1st.
- After a hurricane, temporarily turn off your irrigation system to prevent irrigation runoff.
- Do not apply granular fertilizer or pesticide if a hurricane is forecast. Non-point pollution may not be obvious until rainfall event occurs, leading to storm-water runoff from roads, parking lots, and suburban areas.
- Secure outdoor objects that might be blown away or uprooted. Garbage cans, garden tools, toys, signs, porch furniture, and a number of other harmless items may become missiles of destruction in hurricane winds. Anchor them or store them inside before the storm strikes.
- Top off all vehicles and equipment with fuel in the event that fuel supply becomes short or service stations are inoperable following the storm. Ensure that all motorized equipment is securely parked in an elevated area so it will not be damaged from possible flooding.
- Take numerous photos of your home inside and outside prior to the hurricane’s arrival. Insurance carriers may require photo documentation of damages and corrective actions resulting from storm related damages.
