Hurricane Harvey certainly left its toll on the greater Houston region. Our lawns and plants weren’t spared from the devastation. For many, lawns safe from flood water are now being destroyed by storm debris.
So how do you figure out what survived? Is anything in our yards salvageable? Surprisingly, in some cases, the answer is yes!
The first question to answer: Was your yard covered in water for several days OR did you receive an unprecedented amount of rainfall?
The distinction is important.
Lawn Solutions
If your lawn was under water for three to four days, it’s unlikely (and unfortunate) it will return to its former glory. On the other hand, if you received heavy rain without a flooded yard, you may be able to encourage regrowth. You can add compost to the surface by spreading it with a steel rake. Also consider adding humates or microbial matter, like MicroGro Granular.
If your lawn didn’t survive the flood or debris piles, then you can opt to re-sod. Remove the damaged grass and till the soil 4 to 6 inches. Then, add a hearty compost before laying down new sod. You may also choose to spread a rye grass, which is disbursed by seed and grows quickly.
Here are the key takeaways: Compost is essential for lawn remediation and thoroughly till to create an ideal base for new roots to take hold.
Newly planted trees, shrubs, and plants will probably not survive. But established plants may experience a forced dormancy. Assess the stems to see if they are pliable and firm with a green cast on the inside to see if a plant is still alive.
If you’re unsure about the condition of your lawn or plants, visit the Garden Center or give us a call at 281-354-6111.