That lack of rain is taking its toll on lawns throughout mid-Michigan and local landscaping businesses are feeling the effects. An owner says greener lawns mean more green for the company, but that's just not happening right now. Jim Hamilton lives and breathes landscaping.
Jim Hamilton: "The wider the blade, it's more drought tolerant. The finer the blade of grass, the more moisture it's going to need."
And just as grass needs water to stay green, Hamilton says his business depends on rain to stay afloat, but he says no rain has been the norm since late July.
Jim Hamilton: "Lack of moisture is slowing us down, where we're skipping people's yards. If you're skipping somebody's yard, mowing that week, they aren't paying you that week to mow the grass, so subsequently, your revenues are going to be down."
To recover lost dollars, Hamilton says his crew has had to shift its focus to other duties, like tree trimming. As for homeowners struggling to save their browning lawns, he says the best thing they can do is water, water, water.
Jim Hamilton: "3 times a week. 4 times a week. That'll make a big difference in your yard. Don't cut your grass unless it needs it. Mowing your grass when 80% of it's dormant, and the only thing you're cutting is the crab grass, isn't healthy for the rest of the lawn."
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