NewsWatering your lawn is essential to keep it lush and green, but have you ever wondered if you could be overdoing it? The truth is, overwatering your lawn can harm it just as much as underwatering. A common mistake homeowners make is assuming that the more water their grass receives, the better off it will be. In reality, this is far from true. Grass needs just the right amount of water to thrive, and too much water can have disastrous consequences.
In this article, we will explore the signs of an overwatered lawn, the risk of overwatering a new lawn, how to tell if your lawn is too wet, recommended watering schedules, and factors that determine turf survival under water. By the end of this article, you will understand what overwatering does to your lawn and how to avoid it so that you can have the lush lawn you always wanted.
Symptoms of an Overwatered Lawn
If your lawn is showing signs of overwatering, it can mean trouble. You may have large, dying patches of grass on your lawn, indicating that you have overwatered it. Keep an eye out for an abundance of weeds like crabgrass and nutsedge, as they can also be a sign of overwatering because these weeds thrive in damp and wet soil. Another symptom of overwatering is thatch, which is a layer of dead and living grass stems, leaves, and roots that accumulate between the soil and grass blades. Additionally, you may notice fungal growth like mushrooms appearing, especially in shaded, damp areas. Runoff water after irrigation is another sign, which is an indication that the soil can no longer absorb the water, and it has nowhere else to go but runoff. Be aware that yellowing grass, particularly when it’s accompanied by a foul odor, can also be an indication of overwatering. Knowing these signs will help you take the necessary steps to fix the problem and prevent it from occurring again in the future.
Risk of Overwatering a New Lawn
After laying new turf, it’s essential to keep it consistently moist to promote root growth, but it is also essential not to overdo it. While new turf needs plenty of water to establish itself, too much water is more harmful than helpful. In fact, it can have serious consequences for the survival of your new lawn. Overwatering new turf can result in saturated soil. Turf that lies in water for too long can suffocate the roots, which can cause them to rot, leaving the grass with no way to uptake nutrients or water. The trick is to keep the soil damp, not waterlogged. When the soil is too wet, the buds that begin to form new grass blades can rot, resulting in thinner, patchier grass. Overwatering also makes the grass susceptible to disease, as fungi thrive in damp environments. To avoid stunted growth, disease, and root rot, give your new turf a light watering every day for the first two weeks to aid establishment. After that period, you can gradually reduce watering to once a week.
How to Know If Your Lawn is Too Wet
Maintaining optimum soil moisture levels is critical for the overall health of your lawn. When your lawn is too dry, the grass will become brown and brittle, and growth will stop. However, overwatering your lawn can be just as problematic. An excess of water in your soil can cause shallow root growth, which can make your grass vulnerable to stress, diseases, and environmental damage like pests, as well as cause it to grow pale green. To determine if your lawn is getting too much moisture, look for puddles that remain for days after heavy rainfall or irrigation. These water pools can cause the soil underneath to become waterlogged, leading to root rot and other harmful conditions. Another sign of overwatering is if you sink an inch into the soil when you step on it. The soil should be well-drained, and it should feel moist one to two inches below the surface. Finally, grass that feels spongy or springs back when you walk on it is often a good indication that it has an excess of water.
Turfgrass survival under water
Turfgrass survival under water depends on several factors. Firstly, the species of grass that you have planted in your lawn can determine its chances of survival. Some species, like Bermuda grass, are known to tolerate waterlogged conditions better than other species. Additionally, the duration and depth of submergence can impact the lawn’s survival. Generally, grass can survive a few days under water, but once submerged for a prolonged period (weeks or more), the roots can become oxygen-deprived, and eventually, the turf will die. Water temperature can also have an effect on the survival of your lawn. Turfgrass can tolerate cold temperatures, but any prolonged exposure to warm water can cause heat stress, which can impact the grass’s overall health. Finally, light intensity can impact your lawn’s survival when submerged. Think about the areas in your lawn that are shaded by trees or buildings, these areas receive less sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis, and can make it more difficult for the grass to survive underwater. By understanding these factors and choosing a turfgrass species that is better suited to waterlogged conditions, you can improve your lawn’s overall resilience and increase its chances of survival if flooding occurs.