Are You Watering Too Much? Here’s When to Stop Watering

Amid the intense heat and sun in summer, it may seem fitting to douse your lawn to keep it lush and green. While consistent watering is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn, knowing when to stop is equally important.

Overwatering can be as detrimental as underwatering, particularly as we transition to fall when the weather cools. Too much water can lead to several issues, from fungal diseases to shallow root growth, ultimately harming your lawn more than helping it.

Key Takeaways

• Maintaining a healthy lawn hinges on proper watering practices, which involves knowing when to stop watering. Signs such as consistently wet soil or fungal indicate it's time to adjust your irrigation to prevent overwatering.
• It's also essential to account for external factors like water restrictions and seasonal changes. During periods of water restrictions, follow local guidelines regarding watering. Additionally, as the seasons transition, monitor rainfall and adjust your watering accordingly to maintain optimal lawn health.
• Summer presents an excellent opportunity to rejuvenate your lawn by filling in damaged areas or bare patches with grass plugs. Planting SodPods® grass plugs during this season allows new grass to be established before winter, promoting a lush, resilient lawn.

The Best Times to Water Your Lawn in the Summer

Keeping your grass thriving during summer requires following the best lawn watering practices. These measures ensure your lawn gets the right amount of water without the risks associated with an overwatered lawn.

Water 1-2 times a week. Warm-season grasses require 1-2 inches of water per week. This amount can be applied once or twice weekly instead of more frequent shallow watering. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making your lawn more resilient to drought and heat stress. Shallow watering, on the other hand, promotes a shallow root system, making the grass more susceptible to environmental stressors.

Water early in the morning. Watering your lawn in the early morning minimizes evaporation, allowing more water to soak into the soil. Additionally, watering early gives the grass blades time to dry before nightfall, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases that develop in damp conditions. Avoid watering in the afternoon or evening, which can lead to water wastage and increased disease susceptibility.

Provide supplemental watering during extended hot and dry weather. Adjust your watering schedule based on weather conditions. During prolonged periods of hot and dry spells, your lawn may require additional water to stay healthy. Monitor rainfall and increase watering if necessary while adhering to the 1-2 inches per week guideline.

When to Stop Watering

Understanding when to stop watering your lawn is just as important as knowing when to water it. Besides preventing the risks of overwatering, monitoring your watering habits to account for water restrictions and seasonal transitions, such as moving into fall, is important.

When You're Overwatering

Overwatering is a more common issue than underwatering, potentially leading to several problems for your lawn. The general rule is that the 1-2 inches of water required per week can come from either rainfall or irrigation.

If your lawn receives 1 inch or more of rain weekly, you don't have to water additionally. In the case of rainfall, decrease your irrigation to offset the rainwater. Excessive watering wastes water and increases the risk of bacterial growth and fungal diseases in your lawn. Below are the eight signs of overwatering your lawn.

• Yellowing Grass: One key sign of overwatering is yellowing grass. When the soil is too wet, it can suffocate the roots, resulting in a lack of oxygen. This can cause the grass to turn yellow and weaken over time.
• Wilting: An overwatered lawn can appear wilted despite wet soil. Excessive moisture can lead to root rot, preventing the grass roots from absorbing water properly.
• Mold and Fungal Disease: Overwatering creates a damp environment conducive to fungal growth. The presence of mushrooms, mold, or other fungal patches in your lawn indicates that you may be overwatering.
• Thatch Buildup: Thatch is a layer of organic matter, such as dead grass and roots, that builds up on the soil surface. While some thatch is normal, excessive thatch can be a sign of overwatering, signaling the grass is not decomposing properly. n
• Soggy Soil: A lawn that doesn't drain easily is a clear sign of overwatering. Healthy soil should be moist but not consistently soggy. If you step on your lawn and it feels squishy or if water pools on the surface, you’re likely overwatering.
• Excessive Weed Growth: Some weeds, like crabgrass and nutsedge, thrive in overwatered lawns. If you see an increase in weeds in your lawn, it is likely due to excessive watering.
• Pest Infestations: Besides weeds and diseases, overwatered lawns can also attract pests like mosquitoes, which breed in standing water, and other insects that thrive in moist conditions.
• Runoff: If water runs off your lawn and onto sidewalks or driveways, you apply more water than the soil can absorb. This not only wastes water but also indicates overwatering.

When you observe any of these signs of water damage, it's crucial to reassess your watering habits. Paying close attention to the condition of your grass allows you to fine-tune your irrigation practices, ensuring your lawn receives the right amount of water at the right times.

During Water Restrictions

Adjusting your watering during water restrictions is equally necessary to prevent the risks of overwatering.

In the scorching summer heat, local authorities often implement watering regulations that can disrupt your well-established routine. They may implement various measures to conserve water and prevent shortages, such as:

• Limiting the number of days you can water
• Designating specific times when you can water, and
• Setting limits on how long you can water during each session

Sometimes, they may also impose temporary bans on all outdoor watering or require the use of smart irrigation systems. These systems adjust watering based on weather and soil conditions to further aid water conservation.

During these times, it's essential to follow local regulations. When watering is allowed, make the most of it by watering efficiently. Collecting water can also provide an alternative water source during restrictive periods. If water access is limited, prioritize watering new plants, like newly planted grass plugs and shrubs, which require more water to develop healthy roots and grow more resilient to drought and other environmental stresses.

Introducing native plants or drought-tolerant grasses in your landscape is also a great way to conserve water and protect the environment. For example, warm-season grasses like Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia are well-adapted to the warm, humid Florida climate. They are also known to be drought-tolerant, requiring less water to survive and thrive than cool-season grass plants.

READ: 5 Best Tips for Summer Lawn Care

When Transitioning into Fall

As summer fades and fall approaches, your lawn's watering needs will change. Cooler temperatures, which often translate to slower growth, along with increased rainfall, often reduce the necessity for frequent watering. Gradually adjust the frequency and duration of your watering to match the changing weather patterns. Monitor rainfall as well—reduce or completely eliminate supplemental watering if rainfall is sufficient.

By adapting your watering practices to your lawn's specific needs, seasonal changes, and local restrictions, you can maintain a healthy, green lawn year-round while conserving water and supporting sustainability.

Final Thoughts

As the warmer months demand more attention to watering and maintenance for your lawn, they also present an excellent opportunity to rejuvenate and improve its health. Repairing damaged areas or bare patches with SodPods® grass plugs during this season allows the new grass enough time to adapt to its new surroundings and take root before winter sets in.

This proactive approach not only improves the appearance of your lawn but also builds it up for resilience in the coming seasons. It ensures it's ready to withstand the challenges of varying weather conditions.

Check out our wide range of warm-season grass plugs at the SodPods® website today!