North Carolina is a diverse state, geographically speaking. With coastal plains, piedmont regions, and mountains, there is a wide range of rainfall amounts that our state experiences. On average, North Carolina receives around 43 inches of rain per year. However, this number can vary widely depending on which part of the state you live in. For example, cities in the piedmont region like Charlotte and Gastonia receive closer to 48 inches of rain per year while areas in the mountains like Asheville only get around 35 inches. 

But what does this all mean for lawn care? Read on to find out how much rain affects common lawn care tasks like aeration, mowing, and weed control in different parts of North Carolina.

How Much Rainfall Affects Aeration, Mowing, and Weed Control in NC

Aeration

Aeration is the process of punching holes into your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. It is an important part of lawn care because it helps reduce compaction, improve drainage, and encourage new growth. Aeration is typically done in the fall or spring when the weather is cool and the grass is actively growing.  

In general, you should aerate your lawn if it gets more than 30 inches of rainfall per year. This is because too much rain can lead to compaction, which stops air, water, and nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass. If you live in an area that receives less than 30 inches of rainfall per year, you can probably get away with aerating every other year or so. 

Mowing 

How often you need to mow your lawn depends on a few factors: the type of grass you have (cool-season or warm-season), the amount of rainfall you get, and how fast your grass grows. In general, you should mow once a week during the growing season if you have cool-season grass (like bluegrass or fescue) and every 5-7 days if you have warm-season grass (like bermudagrass or zoysiagrass).  

The amount of rainfall you get can also impact how often you need to mow because wetter conditions mean faster growth. So, if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain (48 inches or more per year), you may need to mow more frequently during the growing season.  

Weed Control 

Weeds are a common problem in nearly all lawns but they can be especially troublesome if you live in an area with high rainfall amounts. This is because weeds need water to grow just like your grass does. The extra moisture from rainfall gives them the perfect opportunity to take over your yard if you’re not careful.  

The best way to prevent weeds is to have a healthy lawn with dense grass cover. This will crowd out potential weeds and make it difficult for them to take root. However, if weeds are already a problem in your yard, spot-treating with herbicide may be necessary. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow all directions before applying any chemicals to your lawn.  

Conclusion

Rainfall is an important factor to consider when it comes to lawn care tasks like aeration, mowing, and weed control in North Carolina. Make sure you are keeping your lawn healthy enough to handle the rain this year!