Rainy and Hot: What This Summer Means for Your East Coast Landscape Summer Care If you’ve been keeping an eye on this year’s weather forecast, you already know. Summer 2025 is shaping up to be rainy and hot, which can cause stress for your landscape. The National Weather Service’s summer forecast predicts above-average rainfall combined with above-average heat across the east coast, and that means your trees and turf are going to need a little extra TLC. Moisture and heat create a greenhouse-like environment conducive to rapid growth. Lawns may flourish, perennials might bloom more intensely, and trees could see increased canopy development. However, this growth spurt brings heightened demand for nutrients and careful maintenance. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just trying to keep your green space intact, here’s how to prepare your yard for the months ahead with smart plant and lawn care practices and strategic tree storm prep. 1. Don't Let Tree Damage Take You by Storm High soil moisture can impact the structural integrity of trees, making them more susceptible to uprooting or branch failure during storms. Add in strong summer winds or saturated canopies, and the result could include costly damage to property or personal injury. The best defense? A proactive one. Tree storm prep services can identify structural weaknesses early, reducing risk when the next big storm rolls through. Here’s what to look for: Cabling and Bracing: These support systems help reinforce weak branches or multi-trunk trees prone to splitting. Canopy Thinning: Strategic pruning allows wind to pass through more easily, reducing the chances of limbs snapping off. Root Zone Health: Saturated soil can destabilize trees, especially those with shallow root systems. Aerating the soil and maintaining good drainage around mature trees helps prevent uprooting. 2. Plant Stress Blooms in Wet, Sweltering Summers Hot, wet conditions promote rapid plant growth, but also elevate the risk of stress, pests, and disease. Here’s how to keep ornamentals, shrubs, and trees healthy: Watch for Fungal Diseases: Powdery mildew, black spot, and root rot thrive in humid conditions. Inspect leaves and stems regularly for early signs. Boost Air Circulation: Thin dense vegetation and space plantings well to help foliage dry faster and reduce the chance of infection by fungal and bacterial diseases. Improve Drainage: Wet soil around shrubs and perennials can suffocate roots. Use mulch to manage moisture and consider raised beds or soil amendments where needed. Manage Insect Populations: High humidity fuels aphids, spider mites, beetles, and more. Your arborist can help determine the proper treatment, which may include foliar, bark, and soil applications. 3. Lawn Stress: Fungus & Foot Traffic Your lawn faces unique challenges when summer brings both heat and heavy rain. Moisture encourages fungal activity, while high temperatures can cause cool-season grasses common along the East Coast to enter dormancy or decline if conditions become too extreme. What to watch for: Monitor Lawn Diseases: Conditions like dollar spot, red thread, and brown patch thrive in warm, moist environments in the Northeast. Early identification and treatment are key. Reduce Leaf Wetness: Wetting agents help disperse water more evenly across plant surfaces, allowing moisture to evaporate faster and move into the soil, minimizing prolonged leaf wetness that can lead to disease. Soil Compaction from Use: Soft, soggy lawns are especially prone to damage from foot traffic and mowing. Mow less frequently, use sharp blades, and avoid walking on waterlogged turf when possible. 4. Rethink Irrigation for Rainy Season The average home lawn needs about one inch of water per week, including rainfall. But when rain is frequent and heavy—especially during thunderstorms—much of that moisture can run off before it penetrates the soil. That’s why a rainy and hot summer requires a more thoughtful approach to irrigation. Observe before watering. Check your soil by gently digging or poking into the turf to see if moisture has reached the root zone. Saturated soil doesn’t need more water. Avoid unnecessary watering. If it’s pouring outside, turn off your sprinklers, and if your automatic irrigation system doesn’t have a rain sensor or moisture probe, now’s the time to upgrade or monitor it closely. Account for runoff. Intense thunderstorms may deliver a lot of water quickly, but that doesn’t guarantee absorption. Sloped areas, compacted soils, or thick canopies can all prevent proper infiltration. Improve drainage where needed. Watch for pooling around foundations, low-lying lawn areas, or trees. Standing water can lead to root rot, suffocation, and long-term stress. On the hottest days of the season, a lawn specialist can determine if supplemental irrigation is still needed, especially during long dry spells between storms. In most cases, rainfall alone will meet or exceed your lawn’s water requirements. Remember: Overwatering can be just as harmful as drought. Observing your landscape and adjusting accordingly is the key to healthy, balanced growth. Let SavATree Help You Prepare Summer 2025 is shaping up to test the resilience of East Coast landscapes. A rainy and hot forecast may seem less alarming than a drought, but the long-term impacts on soil health, plant vitality, and structural stability are just as serious. By taking a proactive approach now, you can strengthen your property’s defenses and maintain its health and beauty through even the most unpredictable weather. Need help getting started? Schedule a consultation today and give your trees and turf the support they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an expert arborist.