When should I water my lawn? How should do it? How much should I water my lawn? Should I buy a sprinkler system? Or, should I just wait for the rain?
We answer all of your questions!
We all want a perfect lawn. Unfortunately, there are a lot of variables that go into getting that perfect lawn – some of which we can control, and others we can’t. One important element we can control is how we water the lawn.
In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips and tricks on the best way to water your lawn so that it is healthy and green all season long!
Need some extra help with your watering schedule, and want to make sure you’re watering correctly for all of the products you’re applying throughout the season? No problem! Check out the Lawn Serv Subscription plans–all of which include custom plans and support throughout the season!
Why does your lawn need to be watered?
Water is essential for keeping your lawn healthy and vibrant. Without regular hydration, grass will become dried out, patches can appear, and weeds can quickly overtake any unhealthy areas.
Even the hardiest of grasses needs water to survive the harsh summer temperatures and provide you with a lush green yard that you’ll be proud of. To survive the hot weather, your grass needs sufficient water in the root zone–where water absorption takes place. The extensive underground root system will soak up and “save” water when it rains in order to keep the plant alive. So, make sure to keep the soil moist when possible, and keep those grass roots healthy!
Depending on your climate, you should aim to water your lawn at least once per week, if not more frequently.
But, established and properly cared-for lawns can also survive weeks without water (by going dormant then recovering when rain returns). So, how do we figure out the right watering schedule? Read on to find out!
Planning ahead is key to making sure your lawn receives enough water, so consider investing in a sprinkler system or setting reminders on your calendar. Taking good care of your lawn may require extra effort now, but you’ll be thanking yourself later when you have an enviable outdoor living space.
The Different Ways You Can Water Your Lawn
There are a few ways to water your lawn, but it is important to know which methods are best for achieving optimal results.
Sprinklers provide a convenient and cost-effective way to deliver the needed amount of water evenly, however underground irrigation systems provide a more efficient method of delivery as they require less surface area and can reduce runoff loss. (One of our favorites: the Melnor Turbo Oscillating Sprinker)
One really cool addition to sprinklers is a sprinkler timer. These handy (and fairly inexpensive) gadgets will help to schedule watering (and some even help with water flow or sprinkler flow rate) so you can program the ideal time to water.
In ground sprinklers, or an irrigation system can provide coverage for an entire lawn. These systems usually consist of a network of sprinkler heads (installed with new lawns or can also be installed in an established lawn) connected through underground tubing, and a control system. The size and number of sprinkler heads usually depends on your lawn’s square footage. While a sprinkler system is significantly higher priced, it provides highly-efficient, proper watering for your lawn.
Hand-watering with a garden hose or soaker hose (a good quality garden hose–like these anti-kink ones–is critical for great lawn care!) is an effective way to control weeds and maximize soil penetration, while rain collected in barrels is an environmentally friendly choice that conserves water bills.
Ultimately, the best watering method will depend on your particular climate and soil type, so do some research to find what works best for you.
Rain Barrels: Why We Love Them
Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water and reduce your water bill.
They provide an environmentally friendly and efficient way to collect rainwater, which can then be used to water your lawn or garden.
Rain barrels can help save up to 1,300 gallons of water per year, depending on the size of the barrel and the amount of rainfall in your area. Not only do they decrease residential water consumption, but they also help with stormwater runoff by reducing erosion and flooding.
A rain barrel is easy to set up and can be connected directly to your downspout or gutter system. With a simple DIY setup, you can capture rainwater that would otherwise go to waste and use it for irrigation or other household needs instead.
Rain barrels are an excellent choice for any homeowner looking to save money (and, they don’t need to be super expensive–lots of good quality ones available) while helping the environment at the same time–and ultimately provide a great watering system!
Best Practices for Lawn Watering
Making sure your lawn has sufficient water (and, ultimately, soil moisture) is a vital part of any landscaping plan and can help you keep your grass healthy and green. However, it’s important not to overwater your lawn, as this could lead to disease and rot.
To ensure you get the best results when you water your lawn, there are a few easy steps to follow.
Firstly, if your soil has good drainage, try to water deeply but less frequently; this will encourage the roots of your grass to grow deeper. Secondly, make sure that you’re spreading the water evenly across your lawn; invest in a hose with an adjustable nozzle so you can adjust the pressure and spray pattern for maximum coverage.
If you have an area of heavy shade, try using mulch or a ground cover flower in that location; this will reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation and runoff.
Finally, don’t forget about aeration – it’s especially important for soil that hasn’t been aerated for some time since this will increase its ability to absorb water more efficiently.
With these practices in mind, you’ll be able to keep your lawn looking beautiful all year round!
How Much Should I Water My Lawn?
Established lawns should be watered until the top 6 to 8 inches of soil is wet. Most lawns need 1-1.5 inches of water per week, either from rain or watering. This amount can either be applied during a single session or divided into two sessions throughout the week. For the best results, try watering deeply once or twice instead of watering just a little each day.
One trick that sounds crazy but works well is to place a couple of tuna cans or cat food cans on your lawn when you’re watering. Once the tuna cans fill up with water, you’ve applied ~1 inch of water!
There are some exceptions to this rule, though. One particular example would be newly planted grass seed. When you are establishing a new lawn via grass seed, you should make sure the top inch of soil is moist pretty much at all times until your grass is really growing!
New grass/newly seeded lawns typically have a shallow root system, so generally needs more water to get established compared with more mature grass.
Another example would be freshly sodded lawns, which should be watered consistently until the root systems have had a chance to take hold permanently.
Ideally, you’re not trying to grow grass during the peak hot summer months, though, so this goal should be much easier in the Spring and Fall.
When Is the Best Time to Water My Lawn?
If the lawn is starting to wilt, or appears to be a dull green, it needs water!
One quick way to tell if your grass needs water is to pay close attention to what happens when you walk on it. If your footprints stay after you’ve walked off of the lawn, that means that the grass doesn’t have the moisture needed to spring back up.
So, once you’ve decided your lawn needs water, what time during the day is best?
Watering in the early morning (before 10am) is best for absorption by grass roots, while watering between 4 and 6pm allows blades time to dry before nightfall. But, be careful not to water too late (and never water your grass overnight)–late evening watering increases chances of disease becoming prevalent in your lawn.
Why You Shouldn’t Overwater Your Lawn
It’s easy to want to give your lawn that extra bit of TLC, but in the process of being overprotective, you could be doing more harm than good. It’s kind of like Goldilocks–you need just the right amount of water!
You may not realize it, but overwatering your lawn can result in a number of issues.
Firstly, it is increasingly likely that you will end up with patches and clumping of the grass, causing an uneven or spongy texture.
Additionally, when watered too much you can promote many different kinds of lawn diseases, which generates a number of lawn problems (and lots of wasted water).
Therefore, it is recommended to stick to consistent practices with regards to lawn watering so you can keep your garden looking vibrant and healthy!
Tips for Conserving Water When You Water Your Lawn
Saving water is essential for protecting the environment, and when it comes to watering your lawn, there are several easy steps you can take to conserve this vital resource.
You should always avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day, as much of the water will be lost to evaporation and won’t benefit your lawn. Instead, plan on watering early in the morning or late at night.
Additionally, choose a setting that is gentle enough to help prevent runoff while still providing moisture – anything more than a light misting is likely to wet areas too heavily.
Finally, don’t forget that natural rainfall also counts towards your lawn’s water needs! Incorporating these tips into your watering routine will ensure you use less water while still keeping your lawn healthy and green.
Some of Our Favorite Products to Help with Lawn Care
Taking care of your lawn can be a lot easier when you have the right tools for the job. From specialty sprinklers to nutrient-rich soil, there’s something for every homeowner.
Here we review some of our favorite products that make lawn care a breeze. For an effective way to disperse water evenly throughout your lawn, special hose attachment sprinklers are essential.
Fertilizers and soil nutriments are great for helping your lawn reach its full potential, ensuring it stays healthy all year round.
Finally, for those hard-to-reach places, get yourself a high-powered pressure washer to give your grass the deep clean it deserves. We hope these products help you with any lawn care project!
A healthy lawn is a beautiful lawn. And while it may take some extra effort on your part to ensure that it stays green and gorgeous all season long, it will be worth it in the end!
By following the tips in this blog post, you’ll be well on your way to having a lush, full lawn that you can be proud of – and that your neighbors will definitely envy.
Watering your lawn doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming – just follow our simple tips and you’ll see great results and a beautiful green lawn in no time.
Trust us, your lawn will thank you for it!
