What Can I do?

Fire Risks

 To protect your yard from forest fires, you can use fire-resistant landscaping, create a defensible space, and remove flammable materials.

Fire-resistant landscaping

• Use fire-resistant plants, such as aloe, California fuchsia, and French lavender 
• Use fire-resistant hardscaping, such as stone walls, patios, gravel, and retaining walls 
• Use fire-resistant mulch, such as rock, composted mulch, or heavy bark mulch 

Create a defensible space 

• Create a buffer zone of at least five feet around your home
• Thin and space out vegetation
• Remove dead leaves and needles
• Prune shrubs and tree limbs
• Keep areas around decks, sheds, fences, and swing sets clear of debris

Remove flammable materials 

• Move flammable materials away from the exterior of your home
• Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches
• Clean gutters and roofs of debris
• Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows

Extreme Winds

To protect your yard from extreme winds and hurricanes, focus on securing loose objects, properly maintaining trees by trimming and removing weak branches, planting wind-resistant plants, reinforcing fencing, and clearing debris from drainage areas; consider installing hurricane-resistant fencing and landscaping features where possible.

Key actions to take:

• Tree Maintenance:
  • Regular pruning: Trim trees regularly to remove dead, weak, or overhanging branches that could break off in high winds. 
  • Select wind-resistant species: When planting new trees, choose varieties known to withstand strong winds. 
  • Plant away from structures: Ensure trees are planted a safe distance from your home and other buildings. 
• Yard Debris Management:
  • Remove loose objects: Secure or bring indoors any loose items like furniture, grills, garbage cans, and yard decorations that could become projectiles in high winds. 
  • Clear drainage areas: Ensure gutters and drainage paths are clear of debris to prevent flooding. 
• Fencing and Structures:
  • Reinforce existing fences: Check fencing for stability and repair any loose or damaged sections. 
  • Consider hurricane-resistant fencing: For areas prone to extreme winds, explore options for specially designed hurricane-resistant fencing. 
  • Secure outdoor structures: Properly anchor sheds, gazebos, and other outdoor structures to prevent them from blowing over. 
• Landscaping Practices:
  • Choose wind-tolerant plants: Opt for low-growing, deep-rooted plants that are less susceptible to wind damage. 
  • Mulch application: Apply a layer of mulch around plants to help retain moisture and protect root systems. 
  • Ground cover planting: Consider using ground cover plants to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. 

Important considerations:

• Consult a professional arborist: For large or complex tree trimming needs, seek guidance from a certified arborist. 
• Local regulations: Check local building codes and ordinances related to wind-resistant landscaping practices. 
• Pre-storm preparation: Before a hurricane or strong wind event, take additional steps to secure your yard, including removing loose debris and securing outdoor furniture. 

To protect your yard from flooding, you can:

Flooding

• Add a rain garden: Collect rainwater and direct it away from your home with gutters. 
• Use mulch: Mulch absorbs rainwater and helps prevent flooding damage. 
• Install rain barrels: Place rain barrels under downspouts to collect rainwater and redirect it away from your property. 
• Maintain your grass: Fertilize, water, and mow your grass regularly to help it absorb more water. 
• Install French drains: Bury perforated pipes in a trench surrounded by gravel to carry water away from your property. 
• Maintain your gutters: Install gutter guard screens to prevent leaves and sticks from clogging your gutters. 
• Regrade your yard: Adjust the slope of your yard so water flows away from your home. 
• Install a sump pump: Collect water in a sump basin and pump it away from your home.