Dig out the umbrella and ditch the fertilizer

The Southwest Florida rainy season has made a dramatic entrance into Summer 2024, with 12.24 soaking inches of rainfall in June alone in Charlotte County.

Rain boots and umbrellas have emerged from the closet, and “Caution Wet Floor” signs will become a regular part of office lobby decor. As we adjust our lives to manage the months of summer storms ahead, homeowners should be reminded to adjust lawncare routines, too.

Sprinkler schedule and mowing habits

The daily rainfall associated with this part of the year means the sprinkler system can likely take a break. Too much water can encourage rot and disease in turf, yet too little water will bake plants and grass in the summer sun. Remember to abide by local ordinances restricting lawn irrigation and adjust watering practices according to expected or received rainfall. If your home has an automatic sprinkler system, be sure you have installed a rain or moisture sensor device that will automatically shut off your sprinklers if they are not needed.

When it comes to mowing, homeowners may be tempted to adjust the blade to cut grass at the shortest setting possible. While this may save time between mows, it’s doing the opposite of saving your lawn. Cutting grass too short might limit the amount of sunlight that blades can absorb. Also, don’t mow when the grass is wet, as it will clump, and the weight of the lawnmower can compress the ground, making it bumpy and more difficult to absorb rainwater. It is also important to keep mower blades sharpened adequately so that they cut nicely and leave the grass healthier.

Prepare for severe weather

One thing we know for certain about the summer months is that it’s going to rain a fair amount. Homeowners should be mindful of the fact that chemicals from their lawns can be washed away into various bodies of water throughout our community. Stop using fertilizers from June 1 through Sept. 30. If chemicals like nitrogen and phosphorus enter waterways, they can feed harmful vegetation like blue-green algae in freshwater and red tide or red drift algae on the beach. Landscaping companies are also required to follow the Charlotte County fertilizer ordinance. (Fertilizers with nitrogen or phosphorus may not be used on residential, commercial turf or landscape plants between June 1 and Sept. 30.) If you use a landscaping service, ask them about their fertilizer practices to ensure they are also following the county’s ordinance.

Instead of fertilizing or watering the lawn, homeowners should prepare for storms by cleaning out the gutters, trimming large trees and stabilizing tall plants to withstand strong winds. Create a game plan for removing and storing outside furniture and potted plants in the event of a large storm or hurricane impacting the area.

Monitor rainwater pools on your property

A lot of rainfall in a short amount of time can result in water pooling in lower lying areas of the yard. There are a few ways to combat this problem, but first, observe where runoff is flowing. Roof runoff can be collected in rain barrels to be distributed during drier days, or it can be redirected toward gravel and patches of vegetation that will better absorb the excess water.

Another popular option for Florida homeowners is a rain garden. Rain gardens are made up of Florida native plants such as ferns, butterfly milkweed and coral honeysuckle that thrive in wet conditions. They’re an attractive solution to absorbing excess water.

For more information, see sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/charlotte/docs/pdf/FertilizerOrdinance1.pdf. ¦

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