Dangers of Watering Your Plants Too Much

Have you looked outside at your lawn recently? While ideally you have a lush, green landscape outside, the truth is that rarely comes without a good deal of attention.

However, if you look out and see a yellowing, browning or wilting lawn, that’s a sign of rotting grass roots, very likely caused from “too much” attention, or more specifically, overwatering.

But wait, isn't water essential to plants? Yes, water is absolutely essential to plant life… but can also be just as detrimental.

All plant species have individual needs you shouldn’t overlook if your goal is to produce healthy growth, and the amount of water your plants or grass needs should be monitored for maximum health of the plant.

If you water your lawn regularly and it starts wilting, it’s possibly your routine. Soil is comprised of various layers of mote, with small, penetrating pore spaces.

These pores act as a reservoir, storing air and water for the plants, which feed the roots. If you water plants unnecessarily, these porous spaces become needlessly compacted.

In turn, plants release oxygen prematurely, which eventually cause your grass to wilt and die. Surprised plants need oxygen too? After all, plants are living organisms that respire. Without oxygen, plants cannot produce carbon dioxide, which is necessary for photosynthesis.

Light, water, and carbon dioxide are the three vital ingredients needed for plants to perform photosynthesis. It’s a chemical exchange process, which enables a plant to produce adequate nourishment for survival.

Did you know an acre of turf produces enough oxygen to support 64 human beings? Incredible, right?

Growing plants in waterlogged soil is dangerous. Whether your collection consists of common lawn grass or garden varieties, you'll want to avoid this practice. Have you ever walked on your lawn or moved things along the blades, and later noticed the scratches never healed?

It’s a consequence of excessive moisture, where the soil becomes heavily saturated with water. Poor aeration affects the overall health of plants, including its ability to regenerate. Poorly aerated, waterlogged soil weakens turf roots, promotes excess thatch buildup, and attracts various parasites.

Turf roots have no need to burrow deep into the loam when the surface is wet. Root systems with shallow depth suffer cellular degradation from extreme heat stress and insect damage.

With the air holes in the soil unable to breathe, your lawn might drain water slowly and collect loads at the topsoil (surface). Landscaping can help to alleviate these issues.

Beautiful evergreen turf blades turn yellow. Roots rotting from below, and disease rapidly devouring patches of your lawn. Can't pinpoint the underlying culprit?

All these signs are indications of overwatering. Grass plants require less water than other varieties. Lawn fungus can sometimes manifest as slimy, darkened wet patches. If your turf exhibits any of these symptoms, you should consult a seasoned lawn care specialist for a definite diagnosis.

Daily excess watering inhibits aeration action in sod roots, a critical process to the oxygen exchange cycle.

Sod roots that lack oxygen tend to linger above the topsoil, which makes it more susceptible to pest infestation and diseases. Prolonged exposure to such unfavorable conditions will eventually kill your sod.

It costs money to keep up your lawn watering routine, especially when it’s a wasteful endeavor. Yes, having sprinklers lets you curtail your water usage to some degree, but you’re still needlessly watering your sod. What’s worse, is that your lawn cannot productively absorb the excess water.

It can be easy to forget and just leave sprinklers active during the rainy season. Instead of this expensive habit, improve preventive lawn care, and spend less money watering your plants.

Yes, plants need them too, even your turf. Grass species need essential nutrients to mature healthily and fend off threats, whether it’s physical or environmental. Lawn turf requires some vital mineral nutrients found in the loam.

Waterlogged soil prevents sod roots from reaching deep into the ground to source these elements. Without them, it’s impossible for your sod to meet its basic cellular needs.

It triggers a series of anomalies such as yellowing grass blades, tissue degeneration, stunted growth, etc. With your sod lacking the pigment and chlorophyll (a vital property needed for photosynthesis), you’ll notice your lawn sprouting yellow blades.

Chlorophyll gives plants their green pigment. Overwatering is one of the contributing influences that inhibit nutrient acquisition and production in plants. Soil water content requires a particular pH level to supply plants with quality micro and macronutrients.

You can alleviate the effects of overwatering by researching the recommended water content for your lawn. Its watering needs weigh heavily on several variables, including size, drainage capacity, etc. If your yard has an efficient drainage channel, you’re less likely to encounter difficulties.