Protect your lawn from excessive rain

As summer storms intensify, it's crucial to prepare your lawn for the deluge. Gerry Boerlage, CEO of FormBoss, warns that hardened, dry soil is more susceptible to erosion from heavy rainfall. When this occurs, the topsoil can be washed away, leading to nutrient leaching and compacted, waterlogged soil that hinders root growth and increases the risk of root rot.

Avoid lawn damage with these five precautions

1. Maintain a mowed lawn: Keep your grass at a height of 2-3 inches to prevent long blades from acting as wind sails in strong gusts, destabilizing root systems and exacerbating erosion.

2. Clear gutters and downspouts: Regularly inspect and clean your gutters to ensure proper water flow. Clogged systems can cause water to overflow, saturating the soil and creating muddy patches.

3. Aerate your lawn: This periodic maintenance task helps improve drainage and reduces the risk of waterlogging by creating small holes for air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil.

4. Prune trees: Hire an arborist to remove dead and diseased branches to prevent them from snapping and becoming projectiles in high winds. They can also test trees' health and stability.

5. Secure loose items: Bring in or anchor outdoor furniture, planters, wind chimes, and other objects that could become projectiles in strong winds.