Hurricane season isn't over just because the weather is starting to feel a little nicer. Here in Seminole and the beach towns, a fall storm can still roll through, and even a regular windy cold front can make a mess of a yard. I'm Isaac, the owner of Ready 2 Mow, and I spend a lot of time picking up after wind. Here's how I'd get a yard ready before the next storm, and what to do after it passes.
Walk the yard and look for loose stuff
The easiest storm prep is free. Take ten minutes and walk your whole yard, front and back. Look for anything that wind could pick up and throw:
- Dead palm fronds still hanging on the tree
- Fallen branches and sticks sitting in the grass
- Loose pots, yard decorations and garden tools
- Kids' toys, buckets and patio cushions
- Piles of leaves or clippings that could blow into the street or a storm drain
Anything you can lift should go in the garage or shed before a storm. Things that are too big to move should be tied down.
Clear out debris before it becomes a problem
Branches and fronds lying around turn into flying junk in strong wind. They can also clog drains and gutters, which means water has nowhere to go. Getting this stuff picked up and hauled away before a storm makes a big difference. It also makes cleanup afterward a lot faster, because you're only dealing with the new mess.
If you have big limbs over the roof or power lines, that's a job for a tree professional. I stick to the ground-level cleanup and leave the big trees to the experts.
Trim shrubs back from windows and walls
Overgrown shrubs that rub against your house can scratch windows and siding when the wind picks up. A light trim that pulls branches back a few inches from walls, windows and the AC unit helps. Don't go crazy and cut everything down to sticks. Shrubs that keep their leaves handle stress better. Just shape them so nothing is slapping the house.
Mow before the weather turns
If a storm is on the way, try to mow a day or two before it gets here. After heavy rain, the ground gets soggy and you may not be able to mow for several days. By then the grass can get long, and cutting too much at once is hard on the lawn. Keep your St. Augustine at its normal height and don't scalp it to "get ahead." Taller grass holds the soil better when the rain comes down hard.
Check where water goes
During a big rain, watch where water collects in your yard. Low spots that stay flooded for a long time can hurt the grass. Keep drains, swales and the edges of your driveway clear of leaves and clippings so water can move. Blowing clippings off the driveway and sidewalk after every mow, instead of into the street, helps keep storm drains clear too.
After the storm: clean up safely
Once it's safe to go outside, take it slow:
- Look before you walk. Stay far away from any downed power lines and call the power company. Never touch them.
- Pick up the small stuff first. Sticks, fronds, leaves and blown-in trash can smother grass if they sit for days.
- Let the lawn dry out. Mowing soaked grass tears it up and leaves ruts. Wait until the ground is firm.
- Check your shrubs. Snip off broken or split branches with a clean cut so the plant can heal.
- Bag or haul away the debris. Don't leave piles sitting on the lawn, because the grass underneath turns yellow fast.
A little prep goes a long way
You don't need to do anything fancy to get your yard storm-ready. Picking up loose stuff, clearing debris, trimming shrubs back from the house and keeping the lawn mowed at the right height covers most of it. The yards that are tidy before a storm are almost always the easiest to clean up after.
Need a hand?
If you'd rather have someone else handle it, Ready 2 Mow can help with storm prep and cleanup, including mowing, shrub trimming, weed pulling and hauling away the yard debris. I serve Seminole, Bay Pines, the Redingtons, Madeira Beach, Indian Shores, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City, Largo and west St. Pete. I'm insured, quotes are always free, and I take any form of payment.
Call or text me at (727) 304-7803, or request a free quote and I'll get back to you.