It’s important to do things in moderation, including watering your lawn. Giving your grass too much water suffocates the grass and prevents growth. The air pockets in the soil that should have air are filled with water, meaning the roots can not breathe. If the roots do not breathe, they will not grow, and the grass will not thrive. This is why many people invest in irrigation systems. How can you know if you are overwatering your lawn? Keep reading to learn more.

How Much Water Does a Lawn Need?

Many factors determine how much water your landscape requires. They include the evapotranspiration rate, which depends on the type of plant and the amount of sunshine. Precipitation levels, such as rain and snow, also matter. In general, turf grasses require 1.5 to 2 inches of water per week. 

Signs of Overwatering

Runoff Water

Look around as you water your plants. Is water running off the street, driveway, or other parts of your lawn? If this happens, the soil will be waterlogged and will not hold any more water. This runoff water must be taking away fertilizers needed by your plants. It also raises your water bill without doing any good.

Spongy or Squishy Lawn

The soil should be wet after watering, not spongy. 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. Do this a few hours after watering to let the bottom layers of the soil absorb water.

Mushrooms and Fungi Growth

Overwatering a lawn for a long time can create wet conditions that favor the fungi and mushroom growth. Fungi appear as colorful growths on top of grass. Mushrooms attract animals and children, and some species are poisonous when eaten. You should remove them as soon as you spot them.

Wilted Grass

Drought can cause the grass to wilt, but so can overwatering. If you 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 accumulates, which may harbor pests.

Weed Growth

While too much water may not be good for your lawn grass, it may create the perfect condition for excess weed growth. Specifically, you may notice that the population of nutsedge and crabgrass is increasing.

Choose Sposato Irrigation

Sposato Irrigation is uniquely positioned to offer high-quality, affordable, and reliable irrigation services to homeowners and business owners in Sussex County, Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean View, Millsboro, Dagsboro, and Ocean City, MD. Thanks to our expertise, innovation and decades of professional experience, we can meet the needs of large properties and small gardens. To learn more about our irrigation installation, LED landscape lighting, and commercial irrigation maintenance services, contact us today. We can be reached at 302-645-4773. Also, check us out on Facebook and Twitter