Excess Rain & What It Means for Your Lawn

As we start to transition from summer into fall, the weather may take a drastic turn. After a season ridden with drought and high temperatures, the mornings will start to cool off and rainfall will return. One thing that is important to understand is how this change in weather conditions and the excess rain can affect your turf. Read on below!
 

Fungal Damage

Anytime something is wet for an extended period, there is a high probability of fungal growth, and this rule applies to your lawn. As rain levels increase, you may start to notice mushrooms popping up on your lawn, or your lawn may start to show signs of disease infestation.
 

Loss of Vital Nutrients

When it rains for an extended period or rains on a consistent basis, the ground becomes very saturated. Saturated soil often cannot absorb any more moisture, leading to excess run-off that can cause a mini “flash flood” on your lawn. When this happens vital nutrients and fertilizers are washed off and cannot be absorbed into the root system. If you are concerned about this and believe your lawn may need additional fertilizer, please contact your local Weed Man professional.

New Weed Growth

While rain is known to make the grass grow, it has a similar effect on weeds. It is not uncommon after heavy rains to see new weeds start to pop up in the lawn. Contact your local Weed Man professional if you are experiencing more weed growth than normal, as an extra application of weed control may be necessary.
 

Shallow Root Growth

As mentioned above, soil tends to become extremely saturated in the face of rainy conditions. When this occurs, grass plants do not have to go as far below the surface to access water. This encourages the growth of a shallow root system, which can become a problem when drier weather hits – since the roots of the lawn are so shallow, they are no longer able to reach water that may be deeper in the soil. A shallow root system also weakens your lawn and makes it more susceptible to weed growth.
 

Root Suffocation

If your turf is receiving too much water, it can begin to suffocate and drown. Oxygen is vital for the growth of healthy turf, and with excess water the oxygen is not able to penetrate the root system.
 

What You Should Do as a Homeowner

We cannot control the weather (even though we wish we could at times!). However, it is important to keep an eye on rainfall levels and adjust your maintenance practices accordingly. If you notice that there has been more rain than usual, curtail your watering and sprinkler schedule accordingly so that you don’t exacerbate the problem. Also, ensure that your lawn has proper drainage. If you notice large puddles in certain areas, you will likely want to consider trying to level out the turf to avoid further damage.
 

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