Preparing your outdoor area for spring after the heavy rain is going to take a bit of work, due the overwhelming rainfall California has experienced.
This winter, California suffered a series of storms that were labeled the “pineapple express”. These heavy storms brought an overabundance of wind, snow (in some areas) and heavy rainfall. The San Francisco area broke a daily record for rainfall in February with 2.13 inches in one day. Southern California has also taken a beating from large storms, experiencing some of the heaviest rains in decades. These overactive storms have brought increased chances of mudslides and flooding, especially after the devastation of the recent fires.
Here are some helpful tips to get your soggy yard ready to enjoy the spring sunshine and soak up some of the saturation.
Don’t Mow Until the Lawn is Dry
It’s important to remember DON’T MOW on wet grass. You never want to mow a saturated grass area, always wait until your lawn is completely dry. When the lawn is saturated, running a mower over the area can cause compaction, as well as cause ruts in the soft moist ground. Adding needed fertilizer is helpful, due to the fact that the rain may have washed most of the nutrients from your lawn.
Mold and Mildew Removal
Take advantage of any signs of sun to dry out patio furniture coverings, umbrellas, and fabrics. Especially ones that need a good mold and mildew cleansing. Although it may seem as if the rain has washed away most of the grime from your patio furniture, mold and mildew can thrive between storms. Power washing your pieces and making sure they get some long needed sun exposure is a great idea. CLICK HERE for a “stain chart” that provides you with the proper cleaning solutions and ways to clean your furniture without abusing fabrics.
Removal of Standing Water
It is important to remove all standing water that has accumulated during the storms. Standing water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Stagnant water can also attract insects and rodents. Mosquitoes commonly breed in shallow pools of standing water. They often carry diseases including malaria, West Nile virus, and Zika fever. As the spring sun begins to heat things up make sure any standing water in your outdoor space is removed. This will better aide in the protection of your health and the health of your outdoor space.
Outdoor spaces become an extension of our homes here in California. Enjoying a comfortable and dry outdoor area can be a bit of a battle after such a heavy downpour. When the rain eventually stops it’s time to get to work! Once you’ve finished preparing your outdoor area for spring after the heavy rain, take off that BBQ cover! Time to get out in the sun and get excited for some spring and summer fun.