By Carmen Dexter
Hosting a backyard party is great for any event, but when you consider all the chairs, tables, tents, dance floors, and shoes stomping all over your gorgeous lawn, you may have concerns. Don’t worry! Here are some easy-to-follow tips to lessen potential lawn damage.
Planning ahead is the best thing you can do for your lawn when hosting a yard party –– but we’re talking several days, not a few hours, and we’ll show you how.
Table of Contents
- Insect Control
- Adjust the Water Schedule
- Mowing
- Be Aware of the Layout
- Keep It Clean
- Post Assessment
Insect Control
No one wants ants or fleas biting their ankles when they’re in the middle of a good story. However, using noxious substances for pest control isn’t healthy for your guests or the environment.
Diatomaceous earth kills pesky insects without being toxic to people or pets. This powder comes from the fossilized shells of aquatic organisms. Spread it over the lawn on a dry, non-windy day at least 5-6 days before your gathering. Keep people and pets off the grass for 24 hours, then hose it down. Give your lawn time to dry before partying.
Adjust the Watering Schedule
Whether you have automatic sprinklers on a timer or you use a sprayer, adjust your watering schedule before the party. Stop watering at least 3-4 days before. Guests don’t want to walk around in wet grass –– especially women in heels –– and you don’t want their shoes sinking into the soft ground, creating holes.
Having solid, dry soil protects your lawn by holding the grass in place, preventing bare patches.
Don’t Mow on the Big Day
Maintain your lawn (mowing and weeding) as usual in the weeks leading up to the party, but don’t mow the day of the gathering. The grass clippings need time to blend into the thatch so they don’t end up on your guests’ shoes.
Also, pay attention to the height of the mower blades. Leave the grass a little longer than usual. The turf is less likely to dry out, giving it a better chance of holding up under increased foot traffic.
Be Aware of the Layout
Where you put outdoor furniture, grills, and protective mats play a role in keeping your lawn in tip-top shape during a party. If your yard is large, spread the setup across the entire area to avoid too many people standing in the same spot on the lawn.
Heavier items, like a sound system, should sit on a piece of plywood on the grass, so as not to dig into the turf. Never set your grill on the grass –– it needs a solid, stable foundation.
Use the deck or patio for the food setup. It will be one of the busiest spots of the night, so keep it off the lawn entirely.
Keep It Clean
Accidents happen, even outside, so cleaning up spills as they occur is ideal. Soda and wine can discolor grass. Sop up any liquid and rinse with a small amount of water, taking care not to saturate the area.
Keep plenty of trash bags on hand and encourage guests to throw away plates and cups. If some guests are smokers, have ashtrays on hand so embers and cigarette butts don’t end up in the grass.
Pick up dropped food immediately. Anything left on the lawn overnight may attract pests, and you don’t want to feed wildlife, even inadvertently.
Post-Party Lawn Assessment
After the last guest has gone home, walk the lawn to assess the situation before you call it a night. Clean up any missed trash and return any outdoor furniture to its previous place, if you moved some things around.
Pick up plywood covers. Grab a rake and fluff up any flat spots and poke holes in the soil if an area seems particularly damaged –– aeration allows more oxygen to reach the grass roots.
Once that’s complete, you can return to your regular routine of mowing, fertilizing, and watering your lawn, so the next time you want to throw a party, your lawn will be healthy and ready to go.
Carmen Dexter is a journalist and teacher living in Texas. Her favorite activities include concerts, football games, and, of course, writing! On any given evening, you’ll find Carmen playing with her dogs, Rizzo and Rocky.
