The severe drought afflicting the region isn’t just a drag for farmers.

Local landscaping contractors have been worried about the future as business has declined in recent months.

Customers are not willing to plant as many trees and shrubs, said Angela Kurth, an administrator for Buhr’s Landscaping & Retail Center, 1383 Barber Greene Road. She also said water restrictions in surrounding counties have some people worried as well.

The lack of rain has also affected those with lawn-mowing businesses.

Many customers now have no need to mow their lawns, and as a result, business is down, said Ginger Fay, owner of Farm Boy Services in DeKalb.

Employees and businesses are not dealing with a run-of-the-mill dry spell. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration categorized the current drought Thursday as “extreme.”

The period from March 1 through July 31 produced 9.71 inches of precipitation in DeKalb, just 51 percent of the normal amount.

However, recent rainfall has provided some relief to landscapers, said Anna DePauw, plant manager at Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward St. in Sycamore.

According to The Weather Channel’s Web site, more than 1.8 inches of rain fell in the DeKalb area from Aug. 10-20.

“With cooler weather and more rain, people have been coming more,” Depauw said.

Despite the recent rainfall, overall conditions are still dry, which doesn’t make for pretty flowers and colorful gardens.

With little rainfall and hot temperatures plants don’t look as good, said Ashley Snyder, a bookkeeper at Blumen Gardens. This can lead to customers doing less landscaping.