Avoid overwatering your lawn by knowing your soil, watering in the morning, and inspecting your irrigation system.
Lawn watering seems like a simple task but many homeowners believe more is always better. Overwatering is often a bigger problem than underwatering. Saturated soil deprives your lawn’s roots of necessary oxygen. To avoid saturating your lawn with water, it is important to know your lawn’s soil moisture level and monitor your irrigation system. Throughout the season, you should be checking your lawn for signs of overwatering so you can cut back if needed as soon as possible.
In fact, watering when needed is far better than setting a repeating schedule. This also considers any natural rainfall that may help with your lawn’s watering needs. When you decide your lawn needs water, water deeply. Shallow watering promotes a short root system that will fail when the heat of summer arrives. If you follow these tips you can learn how to avoid overwatering your lawn this summer.
Know Your Soil Type and Moisture Level
The amount of water your lawn will need depends on the soil type and current moisture level. Clay soils tend to hold water and remain saturated longer than sandy soils. Other soil types like loam, peat, silt, or sandy soil have unique characteristics that need to be considered when watering. You can conduct a soil test to determine the soil type or call for help from the professionals.
Determine When and How Much Watering is Needed
You can avoid overwatering your landscape by watering when the soil is dry rather than on a set schedule. If your soil is compacted, you may need to create several shorter watering cycles with time between to provide deep watering while avoiding run off. The best time to water is in the early morning so the grass blades can dry quickly. Watering at night keeps the grass blades wet for longer periods of time and promotes fungal diseases.
Monitor Your Irrigation System
It is important to check your irrigation system regularly to make sure it is functioning correctly.
You should check your system by examining each sprinkler head for leaks, bubbles, or faulty spray patterns. Keep an eye out for dry spots or puddles as these may indicate a broken sprinkler head or underground pipe.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.