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Anyone who has lived in Brisbane for a while knows that a sunny afternoon can turn into a dramatic thunderstorm in the blink of an eye. The storm season, typically running from November to March, brings with it a trifecta of damaging elements: torrential rain, destructive winds and sometimes hail. While we are all used to securing our homes, many people overlook one of the most vulnerable parts of their property, the yard.

Preparing your lawn and garden for storm season is not just about tidying up; it's a crucial step in preventing property damage, ensuring safety and minimizing the post-storm cleanup. A well-prepared yard can better withstand the onslaught of wild weather, protecting both your home and your landscape investment.

This guide provides a step-by-step approach to getting your lawn and yard storm-ready, turning a potential liability into a resilient outdoor space.

Clear and Secure Potential Projectiles

When cyclonic winds start to blow, any loose object in your yard can become a dangerous projectile. A simple garden gnome or an empty pot can be thrown into a window, a car or even your neighbour’s property.

What to Secure or Store:

·         Outdoor Furniture: Lightweight plastic or wicker chairs and tables should be stored in a garage or shed. If you have heavy wooden or metal furniture, try to group it together in a sheltered spot, away from windows.

·         Garden Ornaments and Toys: Collect all decorative items, hanging baskets, kids' toys and sports equipment. Store them securely indoors.

·         Barbecues and Tools: Ensure your barbecue is covered and moved to a protected area. Lock away any loose garden tools, wheelbarrows and ladders.

This simple act of tidying is one of the most effective ways to prevent costly damage during a storm.

Prune Trees and Overhanging Branches

Trees are a beautiful feature of any Brisbane yard, but they pose a significant risk during high winds. Dead, weak or overgrown branches can easily snap off, damaging your roof, fences or power lines.

Strategic Pruning for Safety:

·         Inspect Your Trees: Look for any branches that are dead, broken or appear weak. Pay close attention to branches that hang directly over your house, driveway or outdoor living areas.

·         Thin the Canopy: For dense trees, selectively thinning out some of the branches can allow wind to pass through more easily, reducing the "sail effect" that can cause entire trees to uproot.

·         Call in the Experts: Large-scale tree pruning, especially near power lines, is a dangerous job that should always be left to professionals. A qualified arborist has the training and equipment to do the job safely. For general garden and yard clean-ups, the team at Brisbane Landscaper can handle significant debris removal and pruning of smaller trees and shrubs.

Address Lawn and Soil Health

A healthy, well-draining lawn is your best defense against the deluges that accompany Brisbane storms. Waterlogged soil can lead to root rot, fungal diseases and a muddy mess.

Improve Drainage:

·         Aerate Your Lawn: Clay-based soils, common in Brisbane, are prone to compaction. This prevents water from soaking in, leading to pooling and runoff. Aerating your lawn by creating small holes in the soil helps to break up compaction and allows water to penetrate deep into the ground.

·         Check for Low Spots: Identify any areas in your yard where water consistently pools after rain. These low spots may need to be filled with topsoil to level them out and encourage proper drainage away from your home’s foundation.

Pre-Storm Lawn Care:

·         Mow Your Lawn: Give your lawn a mow before a storm is forecast. Keeping the grass at a moderate height helps it dry out faster after heavy rain and makes post-storm cleanup easier. Avoid cutting it too short, as this can stress the grass.

·         Hold the Fertilizer: Avoid fertilizing your lawn right before a storm. Heavy rain can wash the expensive fertilizer away before the grass can absorb it, sending nutrients into our waterways where they can cause environmental harm.

Clear Gutters and Drains

While not strictly part of your lawn, your home’s drainage system is critical for managing storm water. Blocked gutters and drains are a primary cause of water damage during storms.

Essential Drainage Checks:

·         Clean Your Gutters: Remove all leaves, twigs and debris from your roof gutters and downspouts. When gutters overflow, water can run down the side of your house, seep into the foundation or flood garden beds right next to your home.

·         Clear Surface Drains: Ensure any storm water drains or grates in your yard are free from leaves, dirt and other blockages. This will allow excess water to escape your property quickly.

The debris from this cleanup can be added to your green waste bin or compost. For large-scale clean-ups, Brisbane Landscaper offers comprehensive yard clean-up services, managing all the green waste for you.

Plan for Post-Storm Cleanup

Even with the best preparation, a severe Brisbane storm will likely leave some mess behind. Having a plan in place makes the cleanup process less overwhelming.

·         Have Tools Ready: Ensure you have easy access to essentials like a rake, gardening gloves and heavy-duty garbage bags.

·         Be Cautious: After a storm, be extremely careful of fallen power lines and unstable tree branches. Do not attempt to handle major tree damage yourself.

When to Call for Professional Help

Sometimes the cleanup job is too big or too dangerous to handle on your own. Fallen trees, widespread debris and water damage can be overwhelming. A professional service can manage the cleanup quickly and safely. Brisbane Landscaper offers fast and effective storm damage clean-up services, helping you restore order to your property efficiently.

Be Prepared, Not Scared

Storm season is a fact of life in Brisbane. By taking these proactive steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage to your property and ensure the safety of your family. Regular yard maintenance throughout the year makes this pre-storm preparation much easier, as your lawn and garden are already in a healthy, manageable state.

If you’re short on time or the job seems too big to handle, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals. The team at Brisbane Landscaper can help you with everything from pre-storm pruning and clean-ups to post-storm recovery.

Don’t wait for the storm warning. Contact Brisbane Landscaper today to get your yard ready.

·         Phone: 0438 901 008

·         Website: https://brisbanelandscaper.com