Does your lawn have yellow patches, brown spots or wilted flowers? If so, you may be overwatering.
One of the most common problems with home lawns and gardens is overwatering that can lead to root damage. The current drought in Northeast Georgia can make us feel the need to water more often, but there are a few reasons why we must reconsider our watering habits.
If the soil in your lawn or garden is poorly drained or susceptible to collecting water, the roots of the plants will have a hard time absorbing enough oxygen to function properly. This will stress the plants and lead to stunted plant growth and susceptibility to pathogens or root rot.
In this part of the country heavy clay soils that drain poorly are common. To amend this issue, you can add organic matter such as mulch, compost or manure to the soil. When doing this, be sure not to cover the stems of the plants with mulch.
If you are unsure what your soil type is, contact your local Extension office for a soil test. This test will determine how to boost the health of your soil and which plants can be successful in your lawn or garden.
There are a few simple steps you can take to give your lawn and garden the best chance for success. Newly introduced plants should be given priority since they do not have established root systems. If the root balls of new plants become too dry or too saturated, they will not thrive.
The first step is to water less frequently for a long period to promote roots to grow deep into the soil. Plants will typically wilt on long summer days, but they can recover on their own if the soil is not overwatered. Check the needs of certain plants before watering them. For most plants one or two watering sessions a week is enough. Be sure to water in the morning or evening to prevent evaporation.
For questions and concerns about your lawn or garden, please call (706) 367-6344 or email a picture and description to uge1157@uga.edu following the instructions on our website.
