Your yard needs special lawn care during the rainy season; otherwise, the extra water will weaken it and cause dead patches. Here are some tips to remember when caring for your grass throughout this year's rainy period.

Do:

Aerate it.

If it has been raining frequently and heavily for several days, the water and force of the droplets can compress the soil. Aerating the lawn with a hand tool or powered aerator helps oxygen and nutrients penetrate the earth, letting the grass access the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Address flooding.

If your property is prone to puddling or flooding during heavy rain, improve its drainage. Create a small path in the lawn to redirect excess rainwater or lengthen the downspouts so that they funnel water away from the grass.

If the yard floods, clear debris and apply fertilizer to restore nutrients that were washed away. When cleaning, wear protective clothing to avoid contact with dirty water.

Don’t:

Mow when it’s wet.

The yard should be completely dry before you mow it; otherwise, the moisture will dull the blades and tear the grass unevenly, weakening it. It'll also leave clumps of dead, wet grass on the lawn, which will smother the vegetation and create dead spots.

Ignore fairy rings and weeds.

Fairy rings are mushrooms that form a circle. They leech the nutrients from the grass, creating a dead patch. While they can be mowed, they’ll return if you don’t remove their bases and roots.

General weed control is also critical, as these unwanted plants thrive in wet conditions. During breaks in the rain, apply pre-emergent control products to stifle their growth.

Let the team at Pro Lawn & Landscaping in Kailua, HI, take care of your yard this rainy season. These professionals have provided Oahu homeowners with reliable lawn care and maintenance since 1922. Get more information about their services online, or call (808) 306-2556 to request a free estimate.