A gardening guru has shared an essential tip for rescuing waterlogged lawns as the UK endures some heavy rain. With many homeowners working to rejuvenate their gardens in the warmer weather, the wet forecast poses a risk to their grass.
Chris McIlroy, lawn expert at The Grass People, said: “After a mild start to spring, lawns across the UK will be looking forward to a bit of hydration, but heavy rain can spell trouble. Waterlogged lawns breed diseases that can kill grass, meaning there is not much there when the water eventually disperses.”
Although we can’t control the weather, Mr McIlroy advised that there are ways to prepare your lawn for heavy rainfall: “The one job you need to do is aeration. A healthy lawn will have open pockets to allow for the free flow of air, nutrients and water. But lawn use can cause soil to become compacted.”
He explains that aeration involves piercing the soil to improve airflow, which is crucial during the spring and summer. “Aeration is a process of penetrating the soil to airflow, it’s key during spring and summer months. It can be done with a pitchfork or with more elaborate tools,” he said.
“It takes seconds to do, but you will need to do it across the lawn to ensure water drains effectively.”
Dealing with lawn complications
Understanding your lawn’s soil type is also beneficial for tackling issues. Chris added: “Some new gardens use clay foundations which retain moisture more than other soils but need particular grass seed and feed to ensure the lawn can thrive.”
Eliminating moss from your lawn can help prevent areas from retaining moisture, as moss can obstruct water flow. Mr McIlroy also suggests maintaining a thick lawn to prevent the formation of puddles.
He advised: “Overseeding will prevent flooding as it will get rid of bald patches on your lawn. When done regularly, overseeding can improve root structure and density over time, improving how grass absorbs rainwater.” Lawns in shaded areas can have difficulty recovering after rainfall, as they depend on sunlight to evaporate some of the surface water.
Mr McIlroy suggested: “Consider removing some trees or bushes that create shadows over your lawn. If there’s no way to improve sunlight access to your lawn, you could change your grass seed to a variety that can withstand heavy moisture better. Reduce footfall during periods of heavy showers so your soil doesn’t become more compacted and you don’t damage grass roots in their vulnerable state.”
