More is better?
Well, not when it comes to watering your lawn.
Too much water can be very damaging to your lawn. In fact, too much water can be more disastrous to your lawn than too little water. How do you know if you’re overwatering your lawn? It is not always easy to tell, but there are some common clues that your lawn is being overwatered.
- Fungus Growth
Frequent watering keeps grass blades wet, and fungi thrive in moist environments. If you’ve noticed mushrooms popping up in spots, that’s a strong indication you’re overwatering your lawn, at least in the areas where the mushrooms have grown. There are many different types of fungi that will thrive in an overwatered yard, such as rust and anthracnose. Weak, thin, reddish-orange grass is a sign of rust fungus, while irregular brown patches in your yard could be a sign of anthracnose.
- Uncontrollable Weeds
Have you noticed weeds multiplying in your yard at an incredible rate? That could be a sure sign of overwatering. Certain weeds such as crabgrass and yellow nutsedge flourish in an environment that is too wet.
- Thatch Patches
Thatch is a common and quite unpleasant lawn problem. Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed grass parts that develops into a dense mat on the surface of the ground. Frequent overwatering can stop grassroots from growing deep into the soil. There will be no need for roots to grow deep since water is available near the surface. All of those roots growing near the surface form a thick mat that turns into thatch. Overwatering also hinders beneficial organisms from breaking down the thatch. Thatch can prevent oxygen from reaching grassroots and provides the perfect habitat for insects and fungus.
- Bug Invasion
In waterlogged lawns, heavy thatch provides a habitat for insects and pests and protects pests from insecticides. Pests such as the Cuban May Beetle and Armyworms, which are commonly found in South Florida, will attack stressed or weakened lawns and cause havoc on your landscaping.
- Other Signs
Here are more clues that show that you’re overwatering your yard:
- Spongy feel to the surface as you walk around your lawn
- Yellowish or light-green coloring (this suggests nutrients are being washed out)
- Runoff from your yard after watering
While water is crucial to the health of all landscaping, it needs to be applied correctly. Proper planning and the correct irrigation system installation will ensure your lawn is being watered effectively. If you think your property is not being watered correctly or if it looks unhealthy, please contact Coastal Irrigation and Plumbing! We offer annual maintenance plans to ensure your lawn stays healthy and lush for years to come.
