Aug 11, 2022 | Florida Lawn Care
Miami Gardens Lawn Care: Protecting After The Rain
South Florida’s summers are known for their rainy, unpredictable weather. On average, the Miami Gardens area receives 60 inches of precipitation from May to September, usually from random storms that only last a few minutes. The impact humidity can have on grass causes erratic growth and unseen harm, making summer lawn care a demanding chore. Here are some lawn care tips to keep your yard looking great after big rainstorms.
Pick Up After a Storm
Heavy rain can lead to debris accumulating throughout the property. Areas of low elevation collect waste that can prevent sunlight from reaching the roots, which can ultimately harm the grass. Leaves, fallen branches, forgotten produce from fruit trees, and other random items will build up if not properly addressed.
How Often Should I Mow?
The simple answer to this is only when it’s dry enough. Cutting wet grass is terrible for lawns. The weight of the mower can affect the oxygen pockets in the soil, which are necessary for roots to flourish. Mowing wet grass can also strain future growth, as the blades can carve small trenches into the soil, causing it to fill up with water and overhydrate.
Stay Off the Grass
Stepping on wet grass can also affect the health of your lawn. If the lawn is too wet when you step on it, it can cause soil compaction. Soil compaction will remove nutrients the lawn needs while leaving behind other nutrients that can over-indulge roots and cause turf harm.
If you believe your lawn lacks the nutrients needed, reach out to your local Miami Gardens lawn care company to receive an inspection and lawn care plan that is right for your property.
Mar 12, 2018 | Lawn Care
You know how the saying goes … April showers bring May flowers. As we move into April and those heavy spring rains, one thing that takes a beating is your lawn. Grass can’t survive much longer than 4 days once it is underwater. Heavy rains can cause your grass to become waterlogged and flooded. It can also cause erosion of soil. You should take extra caution when taking care of your lawn after rain so you don’t damage it. What should you do to keep your lawn lush and verdant after these heavy spring rains? Check out these 8 tips to care for your lawn this spring.
1. Don’t Mow
Don’t mow a wet lawn. You should wait until your lawn has dried out completely before you cut it. Mowing a wet lawn can not only cause compaction but it can also develop ruts in the soft ground. You should also never use an electric mower on wet or even damp lawns. When your lawn does dry out enough to mow, make sure to use the highest cutting height on your mower blades.
2. Keep Off
Keep off the wet grass. You shouldn’t walk on wet grass if at all possible. This can cause your grass blades to become damaged. You should wait for the water to subside completely before walking. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to walk on it without leaving wet footprints behind.
3. Take Notes
After a heavy rain you should inspect your lawn for areas where water tends to collect and stand. Once you have identified these areas, you can correct them by leveling out the ground or by improving the drainage to the area.
4. Aerate
Your lawn can benefit from aeration after it has been flooded. You can aerate it either manually with a garden fork or with a power aerator.
5. Clean Up The Silt
Silt can be left behind on your lawn after a flood. There is a chance that the silt that is left behind can be contaminated. You should always use caution when working in your yard after a flood by wearing rubber gloves and boots and covering any open wounds. Remove any silt and debris by either raking it up or washing it off with a hose. This allows the ground to breathe and to absorb more sunlight.
6. Remove Moss
Flooding after a heavy rain can cause moss and algae to grow on your lawn. You can rake away the moss and algae but you might need a professional treatment to make sure that it doesn’t grow back.
7. Watch Out For Fairy Rings
Another thing that pops up after a flood is mushrooms. Mushrooms are typically harmless and can be removed by mowing over them. What can be damaging is if the mushrooms are growing in a fairy ring. Fairy rings happen when mushrooms grow in a circle with dark, green grass in the center. The grass in the center of a fairy ring will usually die because it is competing with the mushrooms for water. If you have a fairy ring, remove the mushrooms immediately down to their roots.
8. Fertilize
Heavy rains can wash away vital nutrients that your lawn needs to thrive. You can replenish these nutrients by fertilizing your lawn. Continue to apply the fertilizer even after your lawn starts to recover so that it can rebuild healthy roots.
If you need help with your lawn this spring consider contacting a lawn care company who can provide you with a lawn care analysis and set you up with a comprehensive lawn maintenance plan.
