As hurricane season ramps up in North Florida, your lawn’s water needs can change fast. One week it’s hot and dry, the next there’s a downpour. Knowing whether your grass needs more water—or if it’s already had too much—is key to keeping it healthy and avoiding common lawn problems.
At The Master's Lawn & Pest, we’re often asked how to tell if a lawn needs watering or if it’s being overwatered. Here’s how you can spot the difference, along with what to do to protect your turf before and after storm season.
Signs Your Lawn Needs Water
When your grass isn’t getting enough water, it tells you. Look for these common signs of drought stress:
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Grass turns a bluish-gray color instead of vibrant green
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Blades stay flat after walking on them rather than springing back up
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Soil feels dry and compacted
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Grass starts to wilt or curl at the edges
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The lawn looks patchy or thins out in full-sun areas
If you’re seeing any of these signs, your lawn may not be receiving enough water. In North Florida’s dry stretches, this can happen quickly - especially in sandy soil that drains fast. A deep, infrequent watering schedule is the best approach. Most lawns need about an inch of water per week, including rainfall.
Signs You’re Overwatering Your Lawn
On the flip side, too much water is just as damaging as too little. Overwatering can lead to lawn fungus, root rot, and encourage pests like chinch bugs or mosquitoes. With hurricane season storms bringing heavy rain, overwatering becomes a real concern.
Watch for these warning signs of overwatering:
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Persistent puddles or soggy spots in the yard
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Grass that feels squishy underfoot even days after rain
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Yellowing blades, especially in low-lying areas
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Increase in mushrooms or moss
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Lawn disease like brown patch or dollar spot
If you’re seeing these symptoms, your lawn might be waterlogged. It’s important to turn off your irrigation system during rainstorms and give the soil time to dry before watering again. Smart irrigation controllers can help by automatically adjusting your schedule based on weather conditions.
How to Prepare Your Lawn for Hurricane Season in Florida
During hurricane season, it’s smart to take a proactive approach to lawn care. A few tips:
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Turn off your irrigation system ahead of a forecasted storm to avoid overwatering
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Make sure your lawn has proper drainage to prevent pooling and erosion
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Avoid mowing right before a big rain, which can stress grass and compact soil
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Watch for signs of fungus in the days following heavy rain and treat quickly if needed
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Keep your lawn healthy before storms with balanced fertilization and proper mowing height
The combination of saturated soil and high winds can also weaken roots, so strengthening your turf ahead of the storm helps reduce damage.
Need Help Finding the Right Watering Balance?
If you're not sure whether your lawn needs more or less water, you're not alone. Every yard is different depending on slope, soil, grass type, and drainage. Our team at The Master's Lawn & Pest offers professional lawn evaluations and irrigation audits to help you create a watering plan that protects your landscape during hurricane season and beyond.
Serving Gainesville, St. Augustine, and surrounding North Florida communities, we’re here to help your lawn stay healthy no matter what the weather brings.
Schedule a consultation today and get ahead of the storm.