How Frequently To Water Your Lawn
How you parcel out the water is important, too. You might think that watering a little bit every day is a smart approach, but youd be wrong. Its better to water deeply and infrequently, Cutler says. About a third of an inch every two to three days is a good goal.
Why is this so? Turns out your lawn is not unlike your kid: pampering it in the short run doesnt do it any long-term favors. If you water lightly every day, your grass never has to reach deep into the soil to get a healthy drink. The roots become shallow. And grass with shallow roots is susceptible to wilting and other woes.
If, instead, you wait a day or two before you water, then give the turf a little more to drink, the water will seep deeper into the soil, and the roots will stretch down deeper in pursuit of it. A deeper root system is what you want.
The Best Time To Water Grass
Regardless of the type of grass you are growing, the best time to water your lawn is very early in the morning before it gets hot. Most of the water will have time to soak down to the roots and the grass blades will dry quickly, preventing disease problems. Watering in the early morning hours also keeps the lawn cooler during the hottest part of the day, which means less stress on the grass. If you can’t make it out first thing in the morning, late afternoon between 4-6pm is the next best time for watering. Just don’t water at night a lawn that stays wet all night long is the perfect breeding ground for growing fungus. Keep in mind that you don’t always have to water your lawn. Lawns are resilient healthy, properly cared-for lawns can survive weeks without water by going dormant , then recover once the rain returns.
Why Morning Is The Best
Early in the morning, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., is the best time to water your lawn. This allows the soil and roots to absorb the water. Watering during the day is a waste of time and water, since the high temperatures encourage rapid evaporation, turning the water into gas before its absorbed by the soil.
Evening watering can also be harmful. The lack of sunlight results in soggy grass overnight, encouraging fungus growth. You also should avoid watering your yard when its windy wind blows the water out of your yard and increases evaporation.
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Watering Different Lawn Types
How long to water lawn varieties and how to care for the different types will depend on several factors, including the season, the zone you are in and most importantly the type of grass you are growing. Different lawn types will have different watering and overall care needs, so it is important to pay attention to the type of lawn that is growing. Once you know how much to water a specific lawn type, it is easy to set a schedule that will give thirsty lawns the perfect amount of water all season long.
Warm-Season Grasses Warm-season grasses such as zoysia and bermuda grass grow best when the air temperature is above 80 degrees. They slow down when daytime temperatures start to drop, but they still need moisture to remain healthy. Continue to water them as long as the grass is growing and needs regular mowing. Fall is not the time to fertilize warm-season lawns. Wait until spring, when the active growing season begins.
Cool Season Grasses Cool-season grasses, such as bluegrass, fescue and rye, are actively growing in the fall, recovering from summer dormancy. Cool fall temperatures keep evaporation rates low, but these grasses still need an inch to an inch and a half of water every week until frost ends the growing season. Cool-season grasses are also typically fertilized in the fall, and watering after fertilizing is important to wash the fertilizer off the blades of grass and down into the soil.
Watering Lawn At Night: Good For Your Grass Or Bad Idea
Youre not a person who likes waste. So, when you heard that watering during the day was a bad idea because the sun just evaporates the water, you did what seemed like the obvious thing. You switched the timer on your sprinkler system to water at night.
After a while, though, you notice some bare brown spots developing on your lawn. You think your grass must need more water, so you extend your watering time. How frustrating is it when you notice the problems only get worse? Very.
By the time you call in a professional who tells you its root rot, the problem has gotten bigger and costlier. Or maybe you hear you have brown patch. What is brown patch? The short answer is that both conditions can turn into huge headaches. To make matters worse, your lawn technician may tell you that its your fault. How? By watering your plants at night.
Some homeowners water their lawns based on a common misconception: that our hot summer days make daytime watering useless. If water evaporates before it gets to the roots, you would only assume you should change to night watering.
The truth is: watering at night is a bad idea. Thats why we created this guide about the best time to water your lawn. Keep reading to learn exactly why night watering leads to issues, as well as what the best time to water your lawn is for your climate.
What Youll Learn:
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Allow Hard Soil To Take Water Gently
Hard soil, such as the terrain of newly developed buildings, maybe pretty hard and stony. Some other places have dried muddy soil. For such environments, you shouldnt expect the water to sink in as fast as it would for other soil types.
So you need to allow more sprinkling time. A timer would be very necessary in this case, so you dont overwater the lawn.
Signs That The Lawn Needs To Be Watered:
There are some symptoms which give you the indication that it is high time you need to water the grass. Common observations are that the grass will have a dull green or bluish-grey color instead of the usual vibrant green. This shows that the grass is dehydrated.
Also, there is a term called Footprint Test. Try walking in one direction across the lawn. Upon looking back if you see your footprints that dont disappear quickly then that means the grass is stressed and needs moisture.
Amount of Water:
The amount of water to provide will vary from lawn to lawn. This depends on the amount of shade and type of soil that you are using.
- If your lawn is shaded, then you probably will not require much watering each time. This is because the grass will be able to keep the moisture.
- The same rule applies if you use clay as soil. It can hold in water longer.
- But if you are using porous or sandy soil you will need more water. These drain very quickly.
- The place you live will also determine how much water should be given. Not everywhere rainfall is the same, and drought and humidity levels are important factors to be noted. Grass requires more water in drought and low humidity regions.
How to Water?
There are many ways in which you can water your lawn. Ranging from pulsating sprinklers to smart watering systems there are plenty of options in the market.
Final Words
Happy watering!
About William Aguinaldo
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Getting The Great Lawn Youve Been Wishing For
The decisions that you make for your lawn are important. As we mentioned early on, the timing of those decisions is also critical to your success. Proper fertilization and proper watering are two services that can play a huge role in your overall results, assuming that theyre performed properly.If youre currently performing DIY lawn care or using a lawn care professional but not seeing the results that you desire, then you might be looking to choose a different lawn care company in Memphis, TN or Northern Mississippi. After all, if you are investing in professional lawn care, you deserve to get the results youre wishing for.At Master Lawn, we believe that a healthy lawn is a team effort. While we will be performing professional fertilization services, were here to support you with your watering needs. That includes any watering questions that you might have. We can also connect you with our sister company if you prefer to take that work off of your plate and have a professional irrigation system installed. At the end of the day, we want to help you see your lawn succeed. You can count on us to be here for whatever you may need in making your healthy lawn wishes come true.If youre ready to work with a lawn care company in Memphis, TN and Northern Mississippi that will be there to provide you with guidance on any lawn care issues that arise, talk to a lawn care expert, choose from 3 program options, and become the master of your lawn.
What Are The Benefits Of Proper Lawn Watering
- Encourages deeper root growth, making grass more resilient against damage from pests, disease, and drought
- Supports a thick lawn that crowds weeds out by making it difficult for them to germinate
- Promotes efficient water use by reducing the amount of water lost through evaporation, and watering at times or in areas it is not needed
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Watering The Wrong Amount
While overwatering is a common mistake, it happens to be one of the most detrimental. Unless watering newly planted grass seed, dont water every day.
Frequent, shallow watering wastes water and money. It also leads to a number of lawn problems, including diseases, insect infestations and damage from heat and cold. On the other hand, watering longer but less frequently, deep watering, produces deep roots that mean lawns can better survive periods of drought. The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time.
Taking care of a lawn doesnt have to be an overwhelming, all-consuming task. Once all the tips and tricks are in your back pocket, it will be easy to come up with a routine that results in a gorgeous green lawn.
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How To Tell If Your Grass Isnt Getting Enough Water
There are several tell-tale signs that you need to water your lawn. Its simple as can be, but if your once-vibrant green lawn has taken on a gray shade, you need to water. Curled grass blades are another indicatorit means your grass is thirsty.
If youre unsure, consider tackling one of two tests. For the step test, simply walk on your lawn. If your lawn is well-watered, your grass should spring right back up where youve stepped. If it doesnt, its lacking moisture, so it needs water.
The screwdriver test is another classic. See if you can drive a long-bladed screwdriver 6 inches into the soil. If you cant push the tool down that far or you meet a lot of resistance, its time to water.
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Why Is Watering A Lawn So Important
As you know, nothing on this earth can survive without water, its the giver of life.
Its the same for your grass.
Water is the vehicle grass uses to draw nutrients from the soil. It does this through the roots and uses them during photosynthesis and the production of food.
Its also used to store sugars and carbohydrates the grass can use as food in times of need. In drought conditions or during the winter for example.
How Often Should I Water My Lawn
The simple answer is only water your lawn when it needs it. But we all know determining that is easier said than done! As much as possible, tailor your watering routine to fit the needs of each area of your lawn. Sunny spots will need to be watered more often than shaded areas. An automated sprinkler system that is not adjusted to water areas according to their needs, or the weather conditions can waste water, and leave grass vulnerable to disease and damageespecially if there are areas of standing water.
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How Long To Water Your Lawn
It is ideal to water lawns about one inch of water per week. To determine how long you need to water to get one inch, place a plastic container in your yard and set a timer. On average, it will take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water. So, 20 minutes, three times per week will give a lawn about an inch of water.
This formula works best with healthy, well-cultivated soil. Healthy soil provides excellent drainage while also providing just the right amount of water retention at the root zone, where grass needs it most. Poor soil with inadequate drainage will cause soil to become waterlogged, while soil devoid of organic matter will cause water to drain, leaving soil unnecessarily dry.
What Time Of The Day Should I Water The Lawn In The Spring
The best time to water your lawn in the Spring is in the morning just before the scorching sun rises to its peak. Some folks suggest otherwise. They wait for the sun to be hottest before they water the lawn.
The problem with this idea is that the water may not sink deep into the soil before the heat makes it evaporate. As such, its expedient to water your lawn before 10 am. By this time, the dew is still on the ground with a reasonable amount of moisture.
The evening would have also been a good idea too. But the blades of grass need sunlight to dry up, which the night doesnt have. Wet and dark conditions are a major cause of lawn disease, and this makes the evening a turn off.
See this post for more pros and cons to watering your lawn at night.
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Install Drip Lines And Rain Gauge
To ensure your entire yard is getting enough water, install drip irrigation lines for trees, shrubs and gardens, and install a rain gauge.
Drip irrigation is a great way to ensure smaller plants still receive deep watering without the risk of being overwatered by a sprinkler.
Likewise, a rain gauge will tell how much water the yard is receiving from rain and may even help you save on your water bill!
Remember to apply IFA 4-Step Fertilizer to give your grass the nutrients it needs and to mow regularly enough to keep grass blades at roughly three inches in length. As always, stop by your local IFA Country Store for more tips on how to grow a healthy lawn or to get help dealing with a troublesome lawn issue.
Youve Watered After Fertilizing Now What
After this initial watering, avoid watering your lawn for a couple days so the nutrients can settle in. Then, return to your regular lawn-watering schedule, and remember these tips:
- Dont water every day. Water deeply and infrequently. Water too often, and it encourages shallow, needy roots. Water less often but deeply, and roots will grow deeper and healthier and be happy with less water. Grass needs about an inch of water each week.
- Early morning is the best time to water. Its still cool, so all that valuable water wont evaporate in the hot sun. Wrap up your watering as close to sunrise as possible. If sunrise is at 6 a.m., you should be done watering at 6.
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Is Watering Your Lawn A Waste Of Water
If youre a lawn-proud homeowner, you may never see watering your lawns as a waste of water. However, there will be times when its frowned upon to water your lawns when resources are scarce, or droughts are on the horizon.
Before you set up a lawn-watering schedule, check with your local council regarding water shortages. During the summer months, some councils impose water restrictions to ensure everyone has access to the water they need for daily living. As a result, the use of water irrigation systems and sprinkles are sometimes prohibited.
If you have a rain barrel and have harvested your own rainwater, you may be able to attach a hose and connect it to a drip/soaker hose or sprinkler to ensure your lawns dont suffer over the drier months of the year.
Municipal Or Water Management District Restrictions On Irrigation
Be sure to know what limitations are in place in your community for outdoor irrigation. These may vary by season and are designed to save water, so be sure to follow the restrictions. You may also irrigate less frequently than allowed. If, for example, rainfall of at least ½ ¾” occurs the day before you are scheduled to irrigate, you do not need to irrigate on your designated day. You may also find that you can irrigate less frequently than allowed in the winter months.
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What Time Of Day Should I Water
The best time to water your lawn after the sun is up but before 10 a.m. Its cooler at this time of day and winds are calmer, allowing the grassroots to absorb water before it evaporates.
We realize that not everyone is home in the morning to water. You can remedy this by consulting with your local PA landscape construction company, or just water when you get home from work.
If you have to water in the evening, aim for between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., which during the summer will allow the grass to dry before dark. The later you water, the greater the risk of disease.
