After the Storm: How To Rehabilitate Your Lawn
If you’ve lived in Florida for longer than a year, then you know that we have a five-month window of time to worry about hurricanes and tropical storms. True, we’ve been lucky the past few years, but as every weather forecaster will tell you at the beginning of each season, we’re overdue for a big one. Whether you see hurricanes warnings as a good excuse to have the neighbors over to enjoy some beers and your generator or you wipe out the emergency supplies at Target at the mere mention of a tropical storm, it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place. And while your family certainly takes priority, you should also have a plan in place for your property – including your Hernando County lawn and landscaping.
What To Do
The best plans include prevention, but even if you’ve done everything in your power to storm-proof your lawn, you’ve got nothing on Mother Nature. After a tropical storm or hurricane has passed (and you know that your family is safe), take the following steps to rehabilitate your lawn and landscaping:
- Take a picture. This is primarily in case you can file a claim with your insurance company. Worst case scenario, you can use it to frighten friends up north who think your life in Spring Hill is like living in a post card.
- Remove debris. Rake away leaves, twigs, and other debris from the storm. While it may seem counterintuitive, you also need to hose off your lawn. The storm surges from coastal waters flood lawns with salt water, and while many Florida grasses can tolerate some salinity, you don’t want salt sitting on your grass.
- Remove fallen trees. Hire a professional to remove large trees and grind the stump down. Homeowners with a chainsaw and some determination can remove smaller trees. Trees that have been uprooted but are otherwise okay could be saved by replanting and staking for 6 – 9 months.
- Save the plants! The biggest danger to plants and flowers after a flood is root rot. Remove any mulch or ground covering that may keep your soil from drying out. Once the soil is dry, aerate it a bit so the roots can pull oxygen from “breathing space” in the soil. If you replace your mulch with what you removed, be sure to rinse and dry it first to get rid of the saline.
- Check on your irrigation system. Trees and shrubs that are uprooted can affect the underground plumbing of your sprinklers. Make sure your sprinkler heads are intact and check your water usage for any indication of leaks.
Let Us Help
Challenger Irrigation specializes in caring for your Hernando County lawn. From draughts to hurricane damage, we know exactly what your landscaping needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
