How Recent Heavy Rain Is Impacting Zoysia and Fescue Lawns in Atlanta.
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Atlanta has seen its fair share of heavy rainfall lately—and while your grass might look greener, there’s more going on beneath the surface. If your lawn is planted with Zoysia or Fescue, here’s what you need to know about how all this rain is affecting your turf—and what you can do to protect it.
Zoysia Grass: Soaking Up Too Much?
Zoysia is a warm-season grass that thrives in sun and well-drained soil. But excessive moisture can cause issues like:
1. Root Rot
Zoysia hates “wet feet.” Prolonged saturation can suffocate roots and lead to rot, especially in areas with poor drainage.
2. Thatch Buildup
Rain accelerates thatch accumulation—this layer of dead grass and roots can hold moisture, leading to fungus and disease.
3. Yellowing or Patchy Growth
Waterlogged soil lacks oxygen, which can lead to yellow spots and weakened turf that’s slow to bounce back.
Tip: Aerate your lawn annually and check for standing water after storms. You may need to improve drainage or regrade low spots.
Fescue Grass: A Cool-Season Struggle
Fescue prefers cooler temps and decent moisture—but too much rain can lead to:
1. Fungal Diseases
High humidity and soggy soil are perfect conditions for fungi like brown patch and dollar spot, which can spread fast in Fescue lawns.
2. Compaction & Shallow Roots
When soil stays wet, it gets compacted—especially if you walk or mow on it. That can restrict root growth and reduce drought tolerance later.
3. Nutrient Leaching
Rain can wash away nitrogen and other key nutrients, leaving your Fescue lawn looking pale or stunted.
Tip: Apply a fungicide preventatively if rain is in the forecast for multiple days, and avoid mowing wet grass to prevent spreading disease.
What You Can Do Right Now
Walk your lawn – Look for soggy areas, discolored grass, and signs of fungus.
Check your drainage – If you notice pooling water or soft, muddy spots, it's time to consider a drainage solution.
Hold off on watering – Let Mother Nature handle irrigation for now.
Mow high and dry – Only mow when grass is dry and sharp blades are a must.
Call a pro – Sometimes it’s more than just rain—underlying grading or soil issues could be at play.
Need Help? That’s What We Do.
At Hannah Outdoor Designs, we help Metro Atlanta homeowners fix soggy lawns, install effective drainage systems, and restore healthy turf—even after extreme weather.
📍 Serving projects from $5k–$150k, we specialize in full-scale landscape transformations with proper water management baked into the design.
📩 Ready to fix your yard? Contact us today and let’s make sure your lawn thrives—rain or shine.
