Problems with Overwatering Plants and Shrubs in the Summer

Watering is a necessary task for anyone who has plantings and landscapes on their property. Some install irrigation to cut down on maintenance time, while others enjoy the meditative activity of watering their gardens by hand. Since there can be problems with overwatering plants and shrubs in the summer, it’s important to know when your plants have had enough.

Problems with Overwatering Plants and Shrubs in the Summer
Plants and shrubs that are used in landscapes do need plenty of water to survive, especially in the hot summer months. There is a point, however, where the soil becomes saturated and is not able to drain all the water that it is receiving. Plants and shrubs do not like to be in standing water. This can lead to several problems for the plants, including disease, pests, and deficiencies.

 Lack of oxygen
A plant not only receives water and nutrients through its roots, but it also uses them to breathe as well. A plant absorbs oxygen from the space that is existent between each grain of soil. When the soil around a plant’s roots becomes saturated with water, the roots are not able to access oxygen in the soil. In good soil, this water will be able to drain out relatively quickly. In poorer and heavier soils, the water may drain very slowly. This will weaken the plant’s overall health, leaving it vulnerable to disease.

Disease
A plant that is weakened by overwatering can be unable to fend off bacteria and fungus that may exist within the soil. This can lead to root-rot and other diseases. When a plant begins to wilt after overwatering this may indicate that the roots have become damaged. In extreme cases, shrubs can become soft where the crown meets the soil. 
 
Pests
Some pests, such as aphids, target weakened plants and/or may more easily overtake a weakened plant. If a group of pests is colonizing a plant and can be seen all over it, this can be a sign that it was already suffering some other problems.
    
Nutrient Deficiencies
When water is constantly running through the soil around a plant’s roots, there are nutrients being washed away with it. This can result in less food being available for the plant. A plant that has become deficient in certain nutrients may turn yellow, brown, wilt, or lose leaves.

Knowing When to Stop Watering
To avoid problems with overwatering plants and shrubs in the summer, it is important to recognize when there is enough water in the soil. For a quick test, dig about an inch or two into the soil with your finger, if there is moisture in the soil at that level, the garden does not need watering. If the top inch or two of soil is completely dry, it is time to water. Different soil compositions will hold and drain water differently. If you notice that plants are dropping leaves or changing color, it is worth checking the soil around them to make sure that there is proper drainage in the area.