1. Before the season — by 1 June
- Thin dense canopies. Wind passes through an open canopy and pushes a solid one over. Selective thinning is far better than topping, which produces weak regrowth.
- Remove dead and damaged wood — the first thing to break and become a projectile.
- Check for shallow roots. Plants watered briefly and frequently root shallowly and blow over. Deep infrequent watering is a year-round hurricane preparation measure.
- Clear drainage. Swales, drains and low spots. Flooding causes as much plant loss as wind in Miami-Dade.
- Assess proximity to structures. Anything that could fall on a roof, car or line is worth addressing before June.
Storm seasonPlanting that takes summer storms
2. Planting with storms in mind
Species and siting decisions made now determine how a yard fares later.
- Choose wind-tolerant species for exposed positions. Silver buttonwood, cocoplum and clusia hold up well.
- Avoid brittle species near structures.
- Group plantings. Plants in groups shelter one another; isolated specimens take the full force.
- Do not plant large stock too shallow. Correct planting depth and a wide hole encourage the lateral root spread that provides anchorage.
- Water deeply, not often, from day one. It is the single most effective long-term measure.
3. When a storm is named
- Move containers indoors or into a garage. Pots are projectiles.
- Do not do heavy pruning. Fresh cuts are open wounds and cut material becomes debris. If you have not thinned by now, leave it.
- Do not fertilise. Soft new growth is the most vulnerable.
- Secure or remove trellises, shade cloth and garden structures.
- Clear loose mulch from areas that flood — it washes and blocks drains.
- Photograph the yard for insurance purposes.
4. After the storm
- Wait before deciding anything is dead. Defoliated plants frequently recover. Give them several weeks before removing.
- Reset leaning plants promptly. Smaller shrubs can often be straightened, firmed and staked. Do it within days, not weeks.
- Rinse salt off foliage after storm surge or salt-laden wind.
- Check drainage and clear anything blocked.
- Prune damage cleanly back to healthy wood rather than leaving torn stubs.
- Hold off fertiliser until plants show new growth.
Replanting after a storm? We grow wind-tolerant species and can advise on siting so the same thing does not happen again. Get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
When does hurricane season start in Florida?
Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. Yard preparation is best completed before June rather than during a warning.
Should I prune before a hurricane?
Thin canopies well in advance — ideally before June. Do not prune heavily once a storm is named: fresh wounds are vulnerable and cut material becomes debris.
Which plants hold up best in Miami storms?
Wind-tolerant species with deep roots. Silver buttonwood, cocoplum and clusia perform well. Deep infrequent watering matters as much as species choice, because it builds the root depth that provides anchorage.
Can a defoliated plant recover after a storm?
Frequently, yes. Stripped foliage looks catastrophic but many South Florida plants releaf within weeks. Wait several weeks before deciding anything is dead.