A lush, green lawn is what every homeowner wants, but achieving it takes more than just regular mowing. When the summer heat turns up across Iowa, homeowners must begin a regular watering routine to keep their grass green and healthy, but only if Mother Nature isn’t doing her part. That’s because overwatering, even when done with the best intentions, can lead to serious problems for your lawn. Continue reading to learn about the consequences of overwatering and how to bounce back from a flooded lawn.
Consequences of Overwatering
Although not always visible to the naked eye, overwatering your Iowa lawn can lead to long-term damage. Here are some of the ways your lawn could be harmed from too much water.
Root Damage: Overwatering causes a disruption in oxygen reaching the lawn’s roots. Roots need oxygen to breathe, and when deprived, they can rot and die. Root damage caused by overwatering can weaken your grass and make it more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Weed Growth: Excess water can encourage the growth of weeds that thrive in moist conditions. Before you know it, they’ll take over your lawn and fight the grass for nutrients and space.
Fungal Diseases: Lawns that are too wet are perfect breeding grounds for fungal diseases such as mold and mildew. These diseases can spread rapidly, creating unappealing patches and causing further damage to your grass.
Nutrient Loss: Overwatered lawns can suffer from nutrient leaching, where essential nutrients like nitrogen are washed away from the soil. This results in a nutrient deficiency that can stunt the growth of your grass and lead to it turning yellow.
What to Do If Your Lawn is Flooded
Some of our customers across Iowa have experienced flooding this summer. Obviously, this is out of anyone’s control, however, if your lawn is already flooded there are immediate steps you can take to help mitigate the damage.
Step 1: Stop Watering
Immediately turn off your irrigation system and avoid watering your lawn until it has dried out. Monitor weather forecasts and adjust watering schedules accordingly to prevent future overwatering.
Step 2: Improve Drainage
Locate any areas where water pools and doesn't drain well. Aerating your lawn can help improve drainage by creating small holes in the soil, allowing water to seep deeper into the ground. In you have severe cases of poor drainage, you might need to install a drainage system.
Step 3: Remove Excess Water
Use a broom or squeegee to push standing water off your lawn. This can prevent further damage and speed up the drying process. In extreme cases, you might need to use a wet/dry vac to remove water from heavily flooded areas.
Step 4: Address Soil Compaction
Over time, flooded lawns can suffer from soil compaction, which makes it harder for roots to grow and water to drain properly. Aeration will alleviate the compact soil, promoting healthier root growth and better water absorption.
Step 5: Reseed and Fertilize
Once your lawn has dried out, you may need to reseed any bare or thin areas to restore your lawn's thickness. Applying a balanced fertilizer can also help replenish any nutrients lost due to overwatering.
How a Lawn Care Company Like Tiger Pride Can Help
Managing an overwatered or flooded lawn can be challenging, and this is where a professional lawn care company like Tiger Pride can make a difference. Contact us about:
Lawn assessments
Aeration and drainage solutions
Lawn disease and pest control
Lawn fertilizer treatments
While overwatering your lawn can lead to serious problems, taking fast action and seeking help from a professional lawn care company like Tiger Pride can help bring your lawn back to health.