After The Flood — 5 Steps To Help Your Building's Grass Recover

While parts of the country have languished in drought conditions for several years, others are now experiencing inundations of rainwater instead. If your commercial site is among these, take a few important steps to protect the lawn once the rain has gone. Here are five to keep in mind.

1. Don't Mow While It's Wet

If it's been raining for a while, no one may have mowed the lawn recently. But avoid the temptation to mow it once the sun comes out. Not only will mowing wet grass be a frustrating and potentially hazardous process, but it can damage the lawn itself. The weight of the mower, its wheels, and the shock from mowing all work against the grass's recovery. Give it time to dry. 

2. Stay Off the Grass

Try to keep customers, vendors, and employees off the grass as much as possible until the blades dry. While wet, they are more delicate and subject to breakage and damage. You might even put up temporary barriers or signage. Even after the grass appears dry and starts rebounding, test the soil below before letting people onto the grass. Further compacting the soil damages the grass and creates new drainage issues. 

3. Observe the Results

Take a few moments to make some observations before the water completely disappears from the lawn. Primarily, this is a great time to note any possible drainage problems. Where does the rain or flood water sit the longest? Where does it run smoothly and where does it pool and stagnate? Does it run toward the foundations of your building or other structures? 

4. Clean Up Debris

After it's safer to walk on the lawn again, do some cleanup work. If silt has settled on the grass, clear some of it away and try to spread out the rest. This silt — as well as leaves and other debris — can cause mold, mildew, and fungus to grow on the lawn and create further damage. 

5. Consider Aeration

Water is heavy. So flooding will compact the ground as it weighs it down — especially if it sits stagnant for days or weeks. Help your ground recover from this compaction by aerating. Aeration creates divots in the lawn which allow oxygen and other gasses to get into the soil and expands the room for roots to grow. 

Where to Start

Once the water recedes, the right steps will help your landscape recover faster and healthier. Start protecting your lawn by meeting with an experienced local commercial landscape maintenance service. With their expertise, you'll soon be able to enjoy your grass again no matter what Mother Nature throws at it.