When storm season hits, your landscape can take a real beating if it’s not properly prepared. From soil erosion to flooding and plant damage, heavy rains can wreak havoc on your outdoor spaces. Effective landscape storm preparation can protect your yard, home, and investment from costly damage. Here’s a guide to getting your property ready for whatever the weather brings.
Assess Your Current Landscape
The first step in landscape storm preparation is evaluating your property’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Walk through your yard after a rainstorm to spot areas where water pools, soil washes away, or plants look stressed. These signs point to drainage problems or weak spots that need attention.
Understanding how water moves across your property will help you plan better drainage solutions and prioritize upgrades to protect your yard.
Improve Drainage with Smart Solutions
Proper drainage solutions are crucial to preventing storm damage. Without them, excess water can flood your yard, damage your home’s foundation, and drown your plants. French drains, dry creek beds, and strategically placed swales can help redirect rainwater away from key areas.
Another effective method of backyard water management is installing rain gardens—shallow, planted depressions that collect runoff and allow it to soak naturally into the ground. Permeable pavers are also a great option for patios and walkways, allowing rainwater to pass through instead of pooling on hard surfaces.
Design for Flood-Proof Landscaping
Investing in flood-proof landscaping features can significantly reduce storm damage. Raised garden beds, for example, protect plants from saturated soil and make recovery easier after a storm. Choose plants that are tolerant of both drought and flooding, as they’re more likely to survive erratic weather patterns.
Adding heavy mulch to your garden beds can also help reduce erosion, hold moisture in place, and protect roots during heavy downpours. Stick with shredded bark or pine straw rather than rocks or lightweight mulches that could easily wash away.
Create a Storm-Resistant Yard
Building a storm-resistant yard starts with selecting the right plants and hardscaping materials. Deep-rooted native plants are better equipped to hold soil in place and withstand high winds and heavy rain. Avoid planting large trees too close to your home, as they can pose a danger if they fall during storms.
Anchoring outdoor structures like pergolas, sheds, and furniture is another key part of landscape storm preparation. Securing these items minimizes the risk of them becoming dangerous debris during high winds.
Also, trim dead branches and remove weak trees before storm season to lower the risk of property damage.
Manage Water Efficiently Post-Storm
After the storm passes, backyard water management becomes critical. Check your drainage systems for clogs or damage, and repair any erosion problems quickly to prevent worsening issues. Inspect plants for signs of water stress or root rot, and adjust your irrigation schedules to account for the extra moisture already in the soil.
Aerating compacted soil can also help restore good drainage and promote faster recovery for your yard.
Proper landscape storm preparation doesn’t just protect your property—it helps your outdoor spaces recover faster and thrive despite harsh conditions. By investing in smart drainage solutions, flood-proof landscaping strategies, and storm-resistant plants, you can minimize storm damage and keep your yard beautiful all year long. A little preparation today can save you from major headaches tomorrow.
