Drought vs Flood - Extreme Lawn Conditions and How to Manage Them | Big Lakes Lawncare Blog
In the Macomb, MI area, we can experience some extreme weather conditions including flooding and droughts. It is difficult to see these problems coming and, before you know it, they can harm your lawn. Don't worry, though, because there are solutions and preventative measures you can take to protect and heal your lawn. Protect and restore your lawn from a flood by installing a drainage solution, avoiding any foot traffic on your grass, and more. If the air is a little bit dryer than normal, we suggest that you utilize an irrigation system, water collection barrels, and regular maintenance to protect your lawn from drought.
Floods - Prevention & Restoration Measures for Your Lawn
Flooding can quickly create a disaster on your property and undo all the hard work that you've put into your lawn and landscape. Fortunately, there are remedies to help restore your lawn after a flood and ways to reduce the risk of future flooding. To restore your lawn or prevent flooding down the road, we recommend you do the following:
Install a drainage solution. Installing a drainage feature like a storm basin or a french drain will prevent soil erosion and direct water away from your home or business.
Don't walk on or mow an oversaturated lawn. If your yard is oversaturated with water, don't mow it or walk on it. This can cause tears and pull up unstable roots.
Keep debris off of your lawn. Flooding usually results in leftover debris. As soon as your grass can withstand foot traffic, remove small debris by hand. Hire a trusted lawn maintenance company to safely remove larger debris.
Aerate your lawn. Scheduling a core aeration service in the fall will loosen compacted soil. This means that water will flow much easier into your soil and won't get stuck on the surface, thus, preventing flooding.
Drought - Prevention & Restoration Measures for Your Lawn
Sometimes, things can get a little abnormally dry here in Michigan. It is important to know how to protect your lawn from conditions like these and restore it if the drought has already taken a toll on your grass. We recommend:
Adhering to water bans. It is important to know when watering is allowed in your area during a drought. Make sure to adhere to your county or city's guidelines for water bans and make sure that you are hydrating your grass whenever it is permissible.
Watering at the right time of day. The ideal time to water your grass is in the early morning before the sun has had a chance to absorb it.
Installing an irrigation system. An irrigation system can help you save time and money on watering your turf. It will allow you to set a timer for certain days, times, and specific zones on your property. An irrigation system will keep your lawn constantly hydrated.
Using water collection barrels. You can collect rain in barrels by placing them at the downspouts of your gutters. Be sure to cover them to prevent mosquitoes from accumulating.
Mowing high. Don't stress your grass even more by mowing too low. Instead, hire professionals that understand the importance of mowing high. A longer grass blade will grow a long root. The deeper a root is embedded in the soil, the more moisture it will keep in and your turf will be better protected against drought.
Regular fertilization treatments will provide additional support to the roots of your turf. This will position your lawn to better sustain any extreme conditions that may occur.
Protect and heal your lawn from extreme weather like floods and drought. Call us today!
At Big Lakes Lawncare, we are obsessed with restoring lawns back to health so that they can reach their full potential. If you need help healing your lawn after the effects of flooding or drought or preventing the damage from happening in the first place, we can help!
Our team provides a wide range of services including aeration, fertilization, lawn mowing, and more. We serve clients in Macomb, Chesterfield, Shelby, and surrounding areas in Michigan. Call us today at (586) 200-0855 to schedule our services.