You have a simple goal: to keep your lawn looking great year-round. To accomplish your goal, you need to properly water your lawn — otherwise, you risk weeds, dry spots and other problems that can arise due to overwatering or underwatering.
So, how do you determine exactly how much water your lawn needs?
The answer depends on several factors:
1. Grass Type
Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fine fescues are cool-season grasses. They go dormant if they don't receive water regularly, and you'll need to water them more frequently in summer than you would at other times during the year.
Comparatively, Zoysia, St. Augustine, Bermuda and centipede are warm-season grasses. Generally, warm-season grasses have a deep-root system, so they are better equipped than their cool-season counterparts to withstand a drought.
2. Rainfall
On average, a lawn requires about 1 in. of rainfall per week to maintain a lush, healthy appearance, according to The Lawn Institute. One inch of rainfall per week typically soaks the soil to a depth of 4-6 in., and it ensures water can reach your lawn's root system.
3. Time of Day
Watering your lawn early in the morning or late in the afternoon can be beneficial, since there is often less wind and heat at these times. In addition, watering your lawn early or late in the day can help reduce water run-off and increase water penetration into your soil.
4. Sunlight
The average lawn requires four to six hours of sunlight daily, Bioadvanced points out. Ryegrass and fine and tall fescues have more shade tolerance than other types of grass. Keep in mind that grass in shady areas uses less water than grass in sunny areas; as such, you should water shady areas less frequently.
5. Irrigation System
An irrigation system can play a key role in ensuring your lawn gets the right amount of water, at the right time. Many lawn irrigation systems are available, including pulsating, hose-end and in-ground sprinklers. You can even purchase a smart watering system that enables you to schedule watering from your mobile device.
5 Lawn Watering Tips You Need to Know
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to water every lawn. But, there are things you can do to ensure your lawn gets sufficient water every day, such as:
1. Evaluate the Soil
Water your lawn, then use a screwdriver to determine how long it takes water to penetrate the soil. Check the lawn every 15 minutes after you water it, and you can see how quickly the water penetrates the soil over a set period of time.
You'll want water to penetrate to a depth of at least 6 in. So, once water has penetrated the soil to 6 in., you'll have a good idea about how often you should water your lawn.
2. Choose the Right Sprinkler for Your Lawn
Consider the layout of your lawn and select your sprinkler accordingly. For example, if you need to water a small circular area, a rotary sprinkler may be the best option. Or, if you need to water a square or rectangular space, an oscillating sprinkler may be beneficial. And for long, narrow spaces, you may want to go with a flat soaker or sprinkler hose.
3. Customize Your Watering Schedule Based on the Lawn Conditions
Certain areas of your lawn may require more frequent watering than others, and you need to tailor your watering schedule to ensure your entire lawn is hydrated. For instance, if you have trees in your lawn, the shady areas beneath them will require less water than other areas of your lawn.
4. Water Your Lawn Regularly (Even in a Drought)
A lack of rain is no excuse to let your lawn go to waste. Instead, you need to continue to water your lawn regularly, even in a drought. Remember, your lawn needs water to survive — and if your lawn receives no water due to a drought, it will die.
5. Hire an Expert Landscaping Company
A lawn can be difficult to manage, but lawn care experts are available. These experts can provide tips and recommendations to help you maintain your lawn. Plus, they can provide irrigation design, installation and water management services, so you can get an irrigation system that delivers the best results.
Partner with a Complete Grounds Maintenance Company
When it comes to watering your lawn, there is no need to leave anything to chance. If you work with a first-rate landscaping and maintenance company, you can get the help you need to take your lawn to the next level.
Shady Tree Landscaping & Irrigation is a complete New England grounds maintenance company. We provide irrigation systems from industry-leading brands like Hunter, RainBird and Weathermatic, along with service and troubleshooting. Also, we have more than two decades of landscaping and maintenance experience, and our team of experts can evaluate your lawn and find ways to help you improve it.
We are happy to discuss our landscaping and maintenance services with you. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, please send us an email or call us today at 508-359-6082.
Sources:
https://lawnchick.com/how-often-should-you-water-your-lawn/
http://www.sodco.net/tips-and-resources/overwatering
https://www.pennington.com/all-products/grass-seed/resources/manage-your-lawn-and-water-use-wisely
https://www.thelawninstitute.org/pages/education/watering/watering-basics-for-established-lawns/
https://www.bioadvanced.com/articles/lawn-care-how-grow-grass-shade
https://www.familyhandyman.com/landscaping/lawn-care/smart-and-effective-lawn-watering-tips/