Most people believe lawn watering is as simple as just turning on the irrigation system in your yard. However, there are tips you can implement to ensure your lawn stays healthy, while also saving you time and money. Although water is essential for a healthy and vibrant lawn, it is important to keep in mind these best practices for proper watering.
HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOUR LAWN NEEDS WATERING
You will be able to tell when your lawn needs water by checking the color of the grass, as well as walking on it. If the lawn has a grayish tone or has a dull appearance, it means that it's lacking water. Additionally, if your footprints don’t disappear quickly as you're walking on it, this indicates the grass blades are lacking the required moisture for it to spring back.
BEST TIMES TO WATER
Your lawn requires specific care at specific times of the day. In the morning, before 10 a.m., is considered to be the best time to water your lawn as the weather is cooler and winds tend to be calmer. Water is also able to soak into the soil and be absorbed by the grass roots before it can evaporate at this time of the day. If are only able to water in the evening, try to do so between 4 and 6 p.m so the grass still has time to dry before the sun goes down. Keep in mind that the later you water, the greater the risk of disease becoming rampant in your lawn.
HOW MUCH TO WATER YOUR LAWN
Rule of thumb is to water until the top 6-8 inches of soil is wet. Whether it's from rain or your irrigation system, most lawns need 1-1.5 inches of water per week for the soil to deeply soak. This can be from a single-day watering or divided into two sessions during the week, as long as you avoid overwatering.
IDEAL WATERING TIME
Dry soil is key when watering your lawn, making it important to wait after an extended warm and dry time period. When you're ready to water, set up your sprinkler and turn on a timer for 15 minutes. Once the timer is up, you can check the soil's moisture depth by pushing a shovel into the lawn and tipping it forward to expose the soil or by using the screwdriver method. Repeat this process until the water penetrates 3-4 Inches into the soil.
If you have an irrigation system, simply multiply the square footage of your lawn by 0.62 gallons (equal to 1 inch of water per square foot), then divide that by the sprinkler flow rate provided by the manufacturer. This will give you the accurate amount of minutes you should run your sprinkler system.
WATERING NEW LAWNS
A newly seeded or sodded lawn is not able to rely on Mother Nature during the first year, which is why additional irrigation is always needed. With that being said, it's important to make sure you keep the top inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy. Continue to keep the top 2 inches of soil moist once the seeds begin to germinate. When the new grass reaches a mowing height of around 3 inches, start cutting back the water to only twice per week. You can also soak the soil deeper to stimulate the grass roots to grow deep into the soil.
If you are in need of any irrigation services for your lawn, feel free to contact us for a free quote today!
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