Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association outlines steps to prepare for hurricanes

ORLANDO, Fla. (FLV) – The Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association, or FNGLA, released “simple steps” for homeowners and businesses to prepare for potential hurricanes as the season continues into the fall.

“Floridians should take action now to ensure their landscaping is prepared to face intense winds and substantial rains before a big storm or hurricane appears on the radar this season,” FNGLA CEO Tal Coley said. “Consider hiring a local, certified arborist or a certified landscaping professional to offer recommendations and help make your yard storm-ready.”

Simple actions recommended to prepare landscapes for storms include pruning trees and shrubs, checking trunk and buttress roots of trees for cracks and bad connections, clearing gutters of debris, and protecting storm drains by keeping them clear.

The organization also outlined what homeowners and businesses can do to ensure their landscapes are set up to reduce any potential damage, such as plating trees properly (at the right level with the right soil pH), selecting wind-resistant trees, planting in the right location (away from homes and power lines), and planting in groups.

FNGLA’s tips come after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration upgrade the 2023 hurricane season to “above normal.”

The Atlantic’s hurricane season began June 1 and will end Nov. 30.

However, a strong majority of the season’s activity comes after Aug. 1. Last year, Category 4 Hurricane Ian made landfall in late-September in Southwest Florida.

“By choosing the right varieties and taking the time to trim and shape trees, you can help prevent loss and destruction from severe weather,” Phil Buck, president of FNGLA and certified arborist, said.

NOAA had also forecasted 2022’s season to be “above average.”