Getting water right

Excessive Watering Of Lawns

When we talk about excessive watering, we are talking about the problems that result from the ongoing and frequent application of too much water on our lawns.

Lack Of Oxygen In The Soil

An essential requirement of healthy lawns is the ability of the lawn to receive oxygen from within the soil. When excessive amounts of water exist in the soil for too long, the water displaces the oxygen, essentially drowning the lawn plant, prohibiting it from receiving the oxygen it requires for life.

Damage From Sogginess

Excessive amounts of water existing near the lawn's surface will cause the lawn structure, and the soil beneath it, to remain soft for longer periods of time. Any usage of the lawn when it is in this condition, by pets or people can easily damage or even kill the lawn in the affected area.

Lawn Compaction

Following the points above, usage of the lawn in the form of human traffic or play, when the lawn remains soft and wet, will increase the effects of compaction on the lawn. The results are lack of available oxygen in the soil, difficulty of the lawn to set down or maintain a healthy root system, and increased water retention and sogginess.

Excessive Lawn Growth

The last point here also has the most resulting implications than the others already covered.

When excessive watering is combined with available nutrients in the soil, either naturally occurring or from fertiliser, and soil and air warmth, the results can be fast and excessive growth for the lawn.

The damage caused by excessive lawn growth, and the solutions to repair the problems that occur, are another topic altogether and will be covered in a separate article.