Irrigation Systems in MD: Are you Overwatering or Under watering?

During a long, hot summer irrigation systems can overwater or underwater Maryland homes. How do you know when you are overwatering or under watering? While some signs are easy – like dry crunchy brown grass – while with others like wilting plants, it’s hard to tell the difference.

Here are some signs of over or under watering:

  • Leaves turn brown and wilt: under watering will result in crispy leaves; too much water and the leaves will feel soft and limp in your hand. Overwatering will cause slow growth and yellowing leaves. If you have yellowing leaves, old leaves, and new leaves falling at the same accelerated rate, you are overwatering.
  • Soil moisture and softness: stick a finger a couple of inches down into the soil – if the soil is moist, and you have some of the conditions above, you will want to reduce your water. Another way to tell soil moisture, and whether it’s uniform throughout your property: press a long screwdriver into the ground. When the soil is moist, the screwdriver should penetrate the soil easily. The depth of penetration will vary by the soil type, size of screwdriver, and your strength. As the soil dries up, the screwdriver will be harder and harder to push into the soil.
  • Slowed in growth is a sign a plant is not receiving enough water. This can be a temporary or permanent situation. If the plant experiences a temporary decrease in water supply, the growth may just slow for a short period. If the challenge is more permanent you may see new leaf growth being smaller than normal.
  • Foot prints remain visible on the grass: walk across your lawn late in the day, and look for your footprints. If the grass blades don’t bounce back after walking on them, the grass is being under watered.
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For more information on overwatering and under watering using irrigation systems in Maryland, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been a leading licensed landscape design company in Maryland. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company has designed and installed irrigation systems and other landscape projects. Please contact East Coast Landscape Design today for a consultation on irrigation systems in suburban Maryland.