Your yard probably needs some TLC after the drought
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More rain is coming Wednesday night, and Midwest dads are right — your lawn really needs it.
Why it matters: Last year's drought, the worst Ohio has experienced since 1988, left yards across the state looking rough.
- Spring begins Thursday and the recent warm weather is waking them up, meaning now is the perfect time to enter recovery mode.
Driving the news: We asked Matthew Koch, director of biotechnology and genetics at ScottsMiracle-Gro in Marysville, what you should be doing to get your lawn back on track.
His tips:
😬 Check for signs of life.
- If grass is brown on top, but green near the soil surface, you're in luck — it's still alive.
🍴 Feed it.
- "They've been hibernating. They're like bears. And when they wake up, they're really hungry," Koch says. "Fertilizers are your friend," and will help lawns self-repair.
🌱 Seed it.
- It's best to start now, before summer heat strikes. Remove dead patches to ensure seeds reach the soil and keep the top layer moist.
🚫 Weed it.
- A pre-emergent weed controller curbs problems like crabgrass before they start.
- Yes, but: New grass seeds won't grow either unless you make sure it's seed-safe. Ultimately, the best defense is a thick, healthy lawn.
✂️ Don't cut it close.
- Mowing too short causes shallow root systems. Raise your mower height a bit.
The other side: Landscaping plants and trees likely won't have as difficult a time recovering from the drought if they're healthy and established, senior Scotts horticulturist Amy Enfield tells Axios.
- Now is a good time for prep work like pruning and removing debris.
- Planting is recommended around Mother's Day, when there's less risk of damaging frost.
What's next: The Climate Prediction Center's latest seasonal outlooks forecast above-normal precipitation for most of Ohio through May and around-normal temperatures.
What we're watching: So far in 2025, Columbus' total precipitation is just an inch or so below normal, National Weather Service data shows.
- Some areas of Ohio are "abnormally dry," but the U.S. Drought Monitor currently shows no risk here.
Go deeper: Organic lawn care tips from an Ohio State Extension expert