Overwatering Causes Problems

Overwatering!! The start of many of your problems!

This time of year, with the amount of rain we get on a weekly basis, irrigation systems should be completely turned off.  Many people assume that, as they have a rain sensor, that it will not matter.  This is not the case at all.  Assume your irrigation comes on at 5:00 am and your sensor allows it because it is not raining then.  Later that same day- after you have irrigated- we get an inch of rain.  Sensors only help if the system wants to come on when it IS raining. Invest in a rain gauge and monitor how much rain we get and only run your irrigation system as needed.

Mature landscapes only require ¾ of one inch to 1 inch of water per week- from all sources.  Homeowners need to know what the output is for their irrigation system.  This means, putting out some tin cans, run your system through and take an average measurement for how much water you put on for the time you are running.  You need to set your time so that you only get up to 1-inch total per week.

Finally, overwatering aside, we in Palm Coast and area are governed by the St. John’s Water Authority. We are only permitted to water twice per week right now (during Daylight Savings time). Even number houses can water on Thursday and Sunday.  Odd number houses can water on Wednesday and Saturday. Despite the fact we can water these days- does not mean we need to.  Once we return to Eastern Standard time- we are only permitted to water one time per week.  Again, find out what your system output is and set your time to accomplish this- if needed!  These suggestions apply to people with their own well too.

Why is this so important?  Significant numbers of issues with grass, plants and palms are caused by overwatering.  People tend to kill things with kindness rather than neglect.  Fungal disease in grass, fungus infection on plants and shrubs and fungal infection on palms and trees are the most common result of overwatering.  Once you get this, it is often very difficult to eradicate.

Save Florida water and in the process, save your grass, plants and trees.