Misconception #: I Dont Have To Water My Lawn
One of the most common misconceptions we hear about our customers lawns is the misbelief that there is no reason to water it on your own. A lot of people in the Allentown, Lansdale, PA or surrounding areas think that rain will naturally provide a lawn with what it needs.
But what about a dry spell? While your lawn can survive a couple weeks of drought, it will eventually thin the turf and create an ideal environment for weeds to invade. If you want a healthy lawn, you will definitely need to water it from time to time.
Misconception #: The Worst Thing I Can Do Is Under
We hear a lot of concerns about under-watering, but the truth is that overwatering can be just as badmaybe even worse. When soil becomes oversaturated, it can become waterlogged and you can actually drown your grass roots. An overwatered lawn is also more prone to lawn diseases.
Lawns need approximately 1 to 2 inches of water each week in order to stay healthy and green. The best way for lawns to receive that water is through a slow and soaking rain . Just be careful not to assume a downpour has given you ample water. Stick a finger down into the first few inches of soil and get a sense of how moist it is.
We also recommend putting a rain gauge outdoors to measure rainfall. When you do need to water, place a shallow can halfway between your sprinkler head and its furthest point of spray. This will help you tell how much water your lawn is receiving during your supplemental watering sessions. You dont need to be watering your lawn every day, but instead just need to ensure that its getting its weekly 1 to 2 inches of water with about 2-3 waterings per week.
Diy Vs Hiring A Lawn Care Professional
If you already have your lawn planted and a sprinkler system installed, caring for your lawn is a feasible DIY venture. Use the information in this guide to ensure your lawn is receiving enough water. Also, make sure you are keeping up with other lawn maintenance tasks such as fertilizing, aeration, weeding and pest control.
If you would rather not deal with these tasks yourself, consider hiring a lawn care professional to take on your yard maintenance. In addition to keeping your lawn in the best condition, a professional lawn care company can provide sprinkler system repairs, install exterior landscaping and provide spring lawn care and plenty of other services.
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How Often Should I Water My Lawn In The Summer
Every living thing needs water, and your grass is no exception.
But simply remembering to water your lawn isnt enough. Theres a right way and a wrong way to do it, as anyone in the PA landscape construction industry can tell you.
For example, if youre not generous enough with your watering, the roots of the grass wont grow deeply, leaving your lawn in trouble at the height of summer.
And if you decided to run your sprinkler system after dark, your lawn can become too moist, leaving it open to mold and, eventually, disease.
Before you start watering, follow these steps.
How Long Should I Water The Lawn
You should water your lawn once or twice a week, giving your grass 1 to 1.5 inches of water each time. The precise number of minutes for each watering will vary from lawn to lawn, depending on factors like the size of your lawn, the type of sprinkler you have, and its settings.
Here are a few methods for finding the number of minutes you should water your lawn.
- Do a can test: Tuna cans are 1 inch tall, and work best for this method. Empty one out, and set it in an area that your sprinkler hits. Turn your sprinkler on, and check the can periodically to see how long it takes to get ½ of an inch of water in there. You can use that to find how many minutes you need to water either once or twice a week.
- Break it down mathematically: Your sprinkler system will have a designated flow rate of gallons per minute, which you can find out from the manufacturer. To find out the number of minutes to run your sprinkler, multiply your lawns square footage by 0.62 gallonswhich is 1 inch of water per square footthen divide that total by the sprinkler flow rate.
- Look at a flow timer: Youll need a timer that measures flow in hundreds of gallons. Multiply the square footage of your lawn by 0.62 gallons, and that will tell you how many gallons you need to give your lawn the water it needs.
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How Do I Water My Entire Lawn
You dont see too many people wandering around their lawns with a watering can, so how do people water their entire lawn? Given that around 20-30 minutes of moisture is required for optimal lawn health, that would be a lot of time to be out with a watering can.
There are better ways to go about it. You can invest in an irrigation system for your lawn and even install a timer. Some people simply opt for sprinklers. However, these can be a bit more wasteful and non-targeted. Talk to your local lawn care company or garden store for advice on the best lawn watering equipment.
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.
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How To Water Plants In Summer
Watering plants in the summer can be an art. Too little or too much water isn’t good for gardens. Seasoned gardeners follow this rule of thumb: Water deeply and less often rather than watering too little too often.
Evenly water your plants using tools like soaker hoses for beds and watering cans for containers to give them consistent moisture. Letting the soil slightly dry out before watering can promote growth. You must also apply fertilizer carefully during periods of high temperatures to avoid burning plants.
How Much Water To Use
When watering an established lawn, its typically recommended to water until the top 6 to 8 inches of soil is wet. Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per weekeither from rain or wateringto soak the soil that deeply. That amount of water can either be applied during a single watering or divided into two waterings during the week. Just be sure not to overwater your lawn.
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When Is The Best Time To Water Your Lawn
The best time to water lawn is in the early morning. The 2nd best time is RIGHT NOW! Watering in the morning is best because this allows the water to soak deep into the soil and allows the leaves of the grass plant to dry before the water evaporates as it gets warmer in the day. If you cant water in the morning, evenings are OK, just try to do it earlier! .
Do Lawns Really Need To Be Watered
Whether or not your lawn needs to be watered depends on many factors. The type of grass you have, for example, will dictate how much water it takes to stay alive. Some grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue and tall fescue, are very drought tolerant and may not require watering at all if your area receives adequate and consistent rainfall.
However, allowing lawns to go without supplemental water during dry spells also can mean that your lawn will dry up and go dormant until adequate natural water returns .
A dried up lawn is not a look, however, and many subdivisions with HOAs are definitely going to frown upon this choice. You do run the risk of your lawn dying entirely, but as long as it gets at least an inch of water every two to three weeks, it should be able to recover.
If you let nature take its course and leave your grass to grow or die with the rain, its important to be consistent. Either dont water or do water, but watering sometimes and not at other times is a good way to kill your lawn off permanently. Supplemental irrigation during prolonged droughts of a month or more is the only exception to this rule, as grass without any water for that long is almost certainly doomed, no matter how free range of a grass parent you are.
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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.
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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Achieving Optimal Lawn Care Results
The decisions you make for your lawn are important and can make a huge difference in the success of its growth and performance. Watering is one of those factors that really can play a huge role in the overall success of your lawn. Even though its a simple task, it is a vital one.
When youre investing in professional lawn care, you expect professional results. If your lawn is struggling due to not receiving enough water , then you should feel comfortable working with your lawn care company for advice and guidance on how to make improvements. You might even consider the installation of a professional irrigation system if youre struggling to provide your lawn with all of the water it needs.
At Master Lawn, we believe that a healthy lawn is a team effort. If you ever have questions about the best time to water your lawn in Tennessee or Mississippi, how often to water it, or anything else of that naturewe are here for you.
If youre ready to work with a lawn care company 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.
Keep Your Lawns Thriving This Summer
Whether you want to keep your lawn healthy for summer activities, or you simply wish the best health for it, there can be value in watering your lawns properly. Adopt a regular lawnmowing schedule and talk to a lawn mowing company about their recommendations for watering.
Most importantly, remember to follow all local council requirements regarding water restrictions and general water usage.
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Water Your Sod And Grass Seed Strategically
If youre repairing part of your lawn or starting completely from scratch, you need to follow special care directions for grass seed and sod. When you apply grass seed, first, cover it with straw to protect it from birds and other wildlife. Then, water the grass seed one to two times a week to keep the soil consistently moist. Light watering is more beneficial to grass seed and best promotes eventual growth. Too much watering can wash away grass seed and have the opposite effect. Use an oscillating sprinkler, like the Melnor XT Turbo, to water your grass seed gently instead of hosing down your lawn aggressively.
If you plan to use sod, you need to water it multiple times a day and decrease the frequency as the sod takes root. For example, you should water sod three to five times a day for it to receive between four and six inches of water in the first two weeks. Then, water one to three times per day on week three, and finally, you can water the sod every two to three days. To help the seams grow together and look natural, press the sod into the soil, which helps the roots interlock.
When Is The Best Time To Water Grass In Ohio
Water is found everywhere on Earth from the polar ice caps to the steamy geysers, and its an essential element for life to exist.
In general, lawns are fairly resilient and can handle a variety of conditions, but without water, grass struggles to survive. And while watering your lawn may seem like a simple task, there are many misconceptions regarding the best time to water grass in Ohio, and which are the best techniques for watering established lawns.
While homeowners have the best intentions when it comes to watering their lawn, these misconceptions could lead to potentially damaging mistakes. For example, theres a common misconception that it doesnt matter when or how frequently you water and that as long as your grass is getting water throughout the week, it will be fine. However, watering at the wrong times can actually do more harm than good.
Although the physical task of watering your lawn isnt incredibly complicated, having the knowledge to do the job correctly often leads to better results.
When it comes to caring for your lawn, we believe that lawn care companies and homeowners should work together for combined success. Below, well provide you with expert tips on when and how to water your already established lawn.
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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.
How Much Water Should I Use
Remember that you dont need to worry about watering every day. Grass needs about an inch to an inch and a half of water each week, either from rainfall or irrigation.
Water the lawn until the top six or eight inches of soil is wet, which should give the grass the inch of water it needs. You can apply this inch in a single session or spaced out over two half-inch watering sessions during the week.
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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.
