Although your lawn should remain hydrated, running the sprinkler system too often could cause more harm than good. The turf compacts when it’s saturated, which leaves no room for air to circulate and depletes the oxygen that roots need to survive. To determine whether your lawn maintenance habits should be adjusted, below are a few symptoms of an overwatered landscape.

3 Telltale Signs Your Lawn Is Overwatered

1. Rapid Weed Growth

If you feel like you’re spending more time combating weed growth than in the past, it could be a sign of overwatering. Annual grassy weeds, such as crabgrass, bluegrass, and goose grass, grow in water-soaked soil. When the unwanted vegetation matures, it can spread quickly and take over your yard, stealing nutrients away from the surrounding turf.

2. Brown Patches

Healthy grass ranges in color from light to dark green. Straw-like patches in the turf indicate a problem. The fungus Brown Patch thrives when temperatures are high and there’s a lot of moisture in the soil. The vegetative part of the fungus, mycelium, sticks to grass blades and turns the pigment from green to brown. When left untreated, the fungus can kill the turf. 

3. Insect Infestation

When the sprinkler system is left running too often, grass roots drown and die. The decomposing grass clumps and forms thatch. Insects can build homes in thatch, leading to pest infestations in your yard. When left unchecked, the insects can eat grass roots and cause additional lawn damage.

If you believe your lawn irrigation schedule needs to be adjusted, contact the staff at Metro Sod & Seeding for help. Based in Lincoln, NE, they will provide sprinkler system maintenance, repairs, and lawn care services to avoid overwatering the grass and ensure the vegetation remains healthy. To discuss your sprinkler system needs in the Lancaster County area, call (402) 730-4421. Visit the sprinkler maintenance technicians online to learn about their decades of experience serving residential and commercial clients.