How to Protect Your Lawn From Heavy Rain So It Stays Green and Healthy

Key Points

Protecting your lawn from heavy rain ensures its long-term health and prevents issues like root rot and erosion.

Before a storm, clear debris, mow carefully, and turn off irrigation to prepare your lawn for heavy rain.

After a storm, wait for the lawn to dry, remove debris, and inspect for damage to encourage healthy regrowth.

Rain can be great for your lawn. Your grass needs water to survive, so a regular sprinkling can help keep your front yard looking verdant and healthy. However, you can always have too much of a good thing. A lot of rain all at once during a 24-hour period can be detrimental to your lawn and lead to much bigger problems over time.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage before a heavy rain. So keep an eye on the forecast, and keep these tips top of mind.

Meet Our Expert

Sara Bendrick, licensed landscape contractor and spokesperson for STIHL

Related: 7 Reasons Your Lawn Is Turning Brown–and How to Fix It

What Heavy Rain Does to a Lawn

Heavy rain can cause your soil to become waterlogged. “Even if it’s for a short period of time, the roots will essentially suffocate, leading to root rot and possible turf fungal diseases,” says Patrick Moser, technical training manager at Lawn Pride, a Neighborly company.

It can also wash away topsoil and nutrients, making your grass more vulnerable. “If you’ve just seeded, heavy rain can be especially problematic because it can literally move the seed around before it has a chance to germinate,” says Craig Elworthy, founder of Lawnbright.

Proper preparation can help protect your lawn from a heavy downpour, so you won’t have to worry about its long-term health afterward.

What’s Considered Heavy Rain

So how much rain is too much rain, and when should you worry about your lawn? “It’s not just about the total amount of rainfall—it depends on how quickly it falls,” says Sara Bendrick, licensed landscape contractor and spokesperson for STIHL. “A quick inch of rain can be much more problematic than the same amount spread over an entire day, because the soil doesn’t have enough time to absorb the water.”

It also depends on your specific lawn. For example, lawns with clay soil, poor drainage, and sloped areas are much more susceptible to runoff and erosion, she says.

How to Protect Your Lawn

All the experts we asked agree: One of the most important things you can do before a heavy downpour is to clean any debris off of your lawn. This could be sticks and leaves or furniture and toys. In particular, make sure drainage paths are clear of debris so the water has a place to go.

Next, do a bit of maintenance—but not too much. Bendrick recommends a mow. “It may seem counterintuitive, but keeping your grass at the proper height before a storm can actually help it recover afterward,” she says. “Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass blade at a time, as cutting too much can stress the lawn.”

One thing you should never do before a storm is water your lawn. Your grass will get plenty of hydration from Mother Nature, so less watering can prevent the soil from becoming oversaturated. Shut off any irrigation systems before the storm.

Finally, never walk on your lawn before or during a heavy rain. Doing so can compact the soil, making it harder for grass to access the air and nutrients that it needs to stay healthy.

What to Do After It Rains

The best thing you can do after a heavy rain is to wait. Don’t walk on your lawn right away, and don’t mow it immediately afterward either. Give the grass time to dry off first. “Keep off the lawn for a day or two after the storm so the soil can properly drain and firm up,” says Moser. “Once the ground is dry enough to walk on without leaving footprints, rake away any mud, silt, or washed-up debris from downspouts so grass blades aren’t smothered.”

Afterward, inspect your lawn for any lingering issues, says Bendrick. “If you notice standing water that hasn’t drained within a day or two, it may be a sign of poor drainage that should be addressed,” she adds. “Check for areas where heavy rain washed away soil or grass seed, and reseed or repair those spots as needed to encourage healthy regrowth.”

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