Everything should be done in moderation, including watering your lawn. Giving your grass too much water will do more harm than good. It suffocates the grass and stunts growth. The air pockets in the soil that should have air are filled with water which means that the roots do not ‘breath’ properly. If the roots do not breathe, they will not grow, and in turn, the upper part of the plant will not thrive. How can you know whether you are watering enough or overdoing it? Signs of Overwatering
1. Runoff Water: Look around as you water your plants. Is there water running off to the street, driveway, or other parts of your lawn? If this happens, the soil is waterlogged and cannot hold any more water. This runoff water must be taking away fertilizers needed by your plants. It is also raising your water bill without doing any good. 2. Spongy or Squishy Lawn The soil on the lawn should be wet after watering, not spongy. Remember that sponges let out water when squeezed. This should not happen when you step on the soil. Step on different parts of the lawn firmly and see how the ground feels. This should be done a few hours after watering to let the bottom layers of the soil absorb water. 3. Mushrooms and Fungi Growth Done over a long time, overwatering a lawn can create wet conditions that favor the growth of fungi and mushrooms. Fungi will appear as colorful growths on top of grass. Mushrooms attract the attention of pets and children. Some species are poisonous when eaten. Preferably, get rid of them as soon as you spot them. 4. Wilted Grass Drought can cause the grass to wilt but so can overwatering. If you are not experiencing drought and still have wilting grass, this may be why. Too much water can cause roots to rot, and this causes the leaves to brown and gray. Over time, partially decomposed grass (thatch) accumulates, which may harbor pests. 5. Weed Overgrowth While too much water may not be good for your lawn grass, it may create the perfect condition for the growth of some weeds. You may notice nutsedge and crabgrass increasing in population. If you have concerns that you're possibly overwatering your lawn call us today to see how our hunter wi-fi controller may help you fix this problem.