When Watering A Warm
- Zoysia, St. Augustine, bermuda and centipede grasses develop deep root systems, making them better able to withstand drought.
- In general, warm-season grass types require less water than cool-season grasses. Where you live determines how frequently you need to water because of differences in rainfall and summer weather conditions. Grass requires the most water in conditions of heat, drought, low humidity, and high winds.The type of soil you have also plays a part: Clay soil holds water longer and can be watered less frequently than sandy soil, which drains very quickly .
There are tons of ways to water your lawn, from sprinklers to smart watering solutions. Each has their own sets of benefits, so choose the solution that works best for you and your lawn. Below are a few methods to consider.
Pulsating sprinklers : These shoot water horizontally at a high velocity so the water isnt affected by wind.
Hose-end sprinklers: Great for small- to medium-size lawns. There are many different types, so you can choose the one that fits your lawn best.
In-ground sprinklers: These can deliver water in the most efficient pattern. Choose sprinklers that are low to the ground and use a horizontal spray pattern for best results.
Conserve When You Can
Both for the health of your lawn, and your water bill, weve got some on how to conserve water when watering your lawn. Keep automatic sprinkler systems maintained and properly set. A broken sprinkler head that shoots a stream of water into the street doesnt do anyone any good, nor does one that runs during a rainstorm. Additionally, trees can be damaged from lawn watering that leaves their trunks wet over time or does not allow their roots to stretch out and grow between waterings.
Signs You Are Overwatering Your Lawn
Water
The two most basic things that your lawn needs to stay healthy and green are sunlight and water. Though providing more or less sunlight is out of your control, the quantity and frequency of watering is up to you.
Many believe that since a brown lawn is dry, a green lawn is wet, right? Not quite. As the saying goes, everything in moderation.
Believe it or not, overwatering is a common problem for lawn owners. Not only is it hard on your lawn, but its also wasteful. Understanding the signs of overwatering and taking steps to correct the issue will get your lawn back on track heres what you need to know.
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Try Not To Mow During Heat Waves
Summer can be s particularly stressful time for your lawn. Mowing can cause irreparable damage to the lawn.
Its best to mow after the rain has fallen or after you have irrigated. However, to prevent your mower deck from clumpings and clogging, never mow the lawn while its still wet. You could wait for it to dry out a little before going ahead.
Keep the rule in mind. Meaning, dont ever cut more than one-third of the lawn at once.
Also, if you want to reduce the stress faced by your lawn, mow your grasses higher. Mowing too low can expose the grass to the scorching summer sun, increasing the strain it faces.
Mowing your grasses about 3-4 inches higher van help your turf retain water as well as help it develop deep roots. Fact is, a deep and extensive root system provides greater opportunity for your turf roots to easily access moisture.
Even if the summer heat causes moisture to evaporate at the soil surface, it still is easier for deep roots to access water.
Also, keep in mind that mowing with blunt blades will do more harm than good. This is because rather than giving you a clean, swift cut, youll have a torn, ripped and shredded grass. And unfortunately, will lead to further loss of moisture.
It isnt a bad idea to also mow your lawn late at night or early in the morning. Doing this will reduce the amount of moisture thatll be lost. It will also prevent diseases that are associated with heat.
A Partnership Makes For A Great Lawn
Questions such as how to water grass, are common in our industry and we hear from a lot of homeowners who want to do the right things for their lawn they just dont always know what those are. That can be a problem as your lawns needs will directly impact its health. At the end of the day, a lawn care program can only go so far. Truly getting the best out of your lawn will also mean that other needs, like watering, need to be properly met.
Thats why partnering with a professional is so valuable. A pro will want to help answer those questions that you have. They know that a truly great lawn is the result of a successful partnership.
At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we want to set you up for success. If you ever have any questions about watering grass or any other concerns, we are always here to help. We know that a healthy lawn is a team effort and it is our goal to always do what it takes to help you see the results you desire.
Dont let watering questions stand in the way of a great lawn when we are here to help! Instead, request your quote, choose from 3 lawn care package options, and relax as you get the royal treatment.
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Watering Tips And Guidelines For An Established Lawn:
The following rules will help you determine if you should water your lawn:
- When temperatures exceed 85 degrees, watering is highly recommended and should be increased to avoid dormancy and browning of turf.
- In general, it is more beneficial to water less often and more deeply. This helps promote deep root growth, which, in turn, allows your grass to go longer between watering.
- Shady areas need less water than sunny areas. Likewise, low areas require less water than hills.
- Under watering leads to dormancy. It can take a week of watering to have a dormant lawn green up again.
- Water in the morning, rather than in the evening or mid-day. This allows more water to penetrate the soil and can help prevent fungal disease.
- Sprinkler systems are wonderful. Unattended sprinkler systems frequently waste water and lead to an unhealthy lawn.
- Over watering leads to shallow roots, increased thatch, and an environment that promotes fungal disease and weed growth.
- Know your soil. Clay soils need less water than sandy soils conversely, sandy soils require more frequent watering than clay soils.
Common Myths About Lawn Watering & How To Do It Right
When it comes to watering lawns in Pennsylvania, we get a lot of questions about whats needed. From whether you should be watering your lawn in the evening to whether you should be watering your lawn in the winter, we know that there are some uncertainties about the best practices. We also recognize there is a lot of misunderstanding.
In order to clear things up, well take a look at 5 common myths about lawn watering to give you some helpful tips on whats best. These are important as proper watering is the one lawn care task that will impact your lawn more than any other.
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How Should I Water My Lawn
In general, lawns need approximately 1 to 1½ of water per week. Our experts recommend watering grass less often and more deeply. Giving your lawn a good soaking and allowing time between waterings encourages roots to grow deeper as they seek out moisture. A robust root system allows your grass to stay greener longer and it will require less water over time.
Top 5 Tips For Watering Your Lawn
Watering your lawn is one of the most important parts of caring for your lawn. Not watering enough leads to a range of different lawn problems and can ultimately lead to your lawns demise. On the other hand, watering too much can have adverse effects on your lawn as well.
So here are the top 5 tips we recommend in keeping your lawn well hydrated and drought tolerant, so it performs at its best.
It is also important to abide by any water restrictions in your area. By ensuring you select a drought tolerant lawn and follow these simple steps it will be a lot more manageable for your lawn to cope during these restrictions.
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How Often Should I Hand Water
It is recommended that you hand-water your lawn once or twice a week. Make sure that you thoroughly soak the soil to have a good irrigation depth. You can also water every three or four days if your schedule allows. This will give your lawn the extra moisture that it needs. On the other hand, do not over-water your lawn. For instance, avoid frequent shallow watering. This prevents water from penetrating into the soil and the grass will not have a good, deep root mass.
Take note that grasses that do not have strong and deep roots are prone to drought. They can also get dehydrated and burned when exposed to too much sun. Make sure that you hand water regularly especially if you live in hot areas and during the summer season.
How Do I Know If My Grass Has Enough Water
There are a few ways you can tell if youve given your lawn enough to drink:
- Check the soil every 15 minutes during your first watering to see how long it takes to get soaked. Use a shovel or screwdriver to get a measurement, and when youve determined the water has gone six inches deep, note the time. Thats how long it should take in the future.
- If you have a sprinkler system, find out its flow rate from the manufacturer. Multiply the square footage of your lawn by 0.62 gallons then divide that figure by the flow rate. The result will tell you how many minutes to run your sprinkler.
- Place empty tuna cans around the lawn and measure how long it takes for the sprinkler to fill each can with an inch of water. The sprinkler coverage will vary, so use the average time it takes to fill the cans.
If youre not sure of the best way to water your lawn, turn to Realty Landscaping. Our PA landscape construction experts have spent years helping homeowners and business owners around the Philadelphia area keep their lawns looking green.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can give you a healthy lawn this summer.
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Choosing A Lawn Care Company
If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are many companies that maintain lawns and control pests. Some may include services marketed as organic or pesticide-free.
To choose the option best for you:
- Find out what programs and prices companies in your area offer, and what results you can expect.
- Avoid lawn care programs that apply pesticides even when pests are not present.
- If pesticides are used, make sure that they are used as part of an Integrated Pest Management program.
Watering Cool Vs Warm Season Grasses
You need to care for different grass types in different ways to keep them at their healthiest and hardiest.
Cool Season Grasses
These types of grasses, like fescue, rye, and bluegrass, grow actively in the fall. Theyll need about 1-1.5 inches every week until the growing season ends, roughly when the first frost sets in. If you dont water cool season grasses during a drought, they will go dormant but re-green when it starts raining again.
Warm Season Grasses
Warm season grasses, including bermuda, St. Augustine, zoysia, and centipede grass, do most of their growing in the summertime. Overall, they require less water than cool season grasses, but even they need extra water in the dead heat.
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How Much Water For A Healthy Lawn
Your grass needs up to 1½ inches of water per week in the summer, but you dont have to do it all at once. You can spread waterings out in two sessions. This will help to further protect your lawn against drought.
There are a few ways you can tell if youve given your lawn the right amount of water
- Check your soil every 15 minutes during your first watering to see how long it takes to get soaked. Then take a shovel or a screwdriver to get a measurement. When youve determined the water has gone six inches deep, note the time. Thats how long it should take in the future.
- If you have a sprinkler system, find what type of sprinkler head youre using and determine its flow rate. If you multiply the square footage of your lawn by 0.62 gallons and divide that figure by the flow rate, youll find out how many minutes to run your sprinkler.
- Place empty tuna cans around the lawn and measure how long it takes for the sprinkler to fill each can with an inch of water. The sprinkler coverage will vary, so use the average time it takes to fill the cans.
One other thing you can try is the 20-minute method. Typically, it takes 20 minutes, 3 times per week to get an inch of water on your lawn. And 30 minutes, 3 times per week, will get 1½ inches down and reach even deep root systems.
But keep this in mind: During extreme heat, you will need to water more, due to evaporation and heat stress on the grass. Thats why you should try watering your lawn early in the morning.
Protect Animals And Insects
It is important to protect birds, beneficial insects, earthworms, and other organisms that play an important role in keeping your lawn healthy.
- Birds and predatory insects feed on grubs and other pests.
- Insects, earthworms, beneficial fungi, and other micro-organisms break down thatch and aerate the soil.
The best way to protect these beneficial animals and insects is to only use insecticides and fungicides when absolutely needed. See Understanding your lawn’s lifecycle for more information.
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Best Time To Water The Lawn In Tennessee And Mississippi
The timing of when you water is a critical factor. Though a lot of homeowners come home and decide to water after work, this can be problematic, particularly if night temperatures are over 65 degrees.
Thats because sunlight isnt available to allow for the lawn to naturally dry up excessive moisture as it would throughout the day. The combination of moisture and heat can lead to fungal growth overnight.
Turf disease develops from an interaction between a susceptible plant, a disease-producing organism and an environment favorable for the disease-causing organism to grow. This is known as the turf disease triangle.
However, watering in the middle of the day, when the sun is its strongest, can also be problematic. Too much water will evaporate before allowing the roots to take in what they need.
Because of all that, the ideal time to water the lawn is early in the morning just at sunrise or immediately beforehand. Your lawn roots will get a nice soaking before allowing the sun to naturally evaporate any excessive moisture off of leaf blandse before nightfall.
The Sharp Lawn Care Treatment
We hope this article has provided helpful advice about the dos and donts of watering a newly seeded lawn, but we also understand if its left you thinking its too much to manage on your own or that youd just prefer knowing an expert is on it for you.
At Sharp Lawn Care, weve been taking care of residential and commercial properties around Sioux City for more than 15 years, and were a trusted leader in the lawn care industry. We can inspect your lawn, reseed it properly, make sure the watering is done correctly, and help set you up to maintain it on your own or with our continuing care.
Getting started is as easy as using our simple online form to .
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How To Care For Your Lawn
During spring and summer, your water use can jump by 30 to 40 per cent because of outdoor watering activities.
Save money on your water bills while still having a pristine lawn by following these lawn care tips. You can also check out our watering guides:
For information about watering during water restrictions, see Water Restrictions. For other resources on lawn and yard care, visit YardSmart.
Lawn care topics
Stay Clear From Fertilizers During A Heat Wave
Synthetic fertilizers can do your turf a lot of harm during summer, especially if youre growing cold season grasses. When applied, your grasses are forced to grow and use more water.
This consumes more water and energy than heat waves actually allows them to produce. This can be really stressful and damaging for the lawn.
Also, during very high temperatures, synthetic fertilizers can lead to your grass burning if care is not taken.
If you must fertilize during a heat wave, make sure you go organic and natural. Slow-release organic fertilizer is a perfect alternative.
While cold season grasses are absolutely intolerant to synthetic fertilizers during heat waves, warm-season grasses may actually be fertilized during early or mid-summer, because at that point, the plants are still actively growing and can still repair easily whatever is damaged.
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