10 Watering Tips to Give Your Lawn the Best of Care
Although your lawn needs watering just like any other garden, you should make sure that you’re giving it the exact amount of water it needs. Watering your lawn less or more than it needs could end up in an absolute disaster.
1. One Rule for Most Zones
If you live within planting zones one to seven then rejoice because you only have one main rule on watering to follow, and that’s to water your lawn frequently during the summer and especially if there’s an oncoming draught. This is, of course, assuming that you want your lawn to stay healthy-looking even in the heat of the summer. You may however allow them also to “hibernate” during the summer and let them go dry. Choose which color for your lawn you prefer more during summer: brown or green?
2. Determining the Necessary Amount of Water
Regardless of the type of lawn grass you’re growing, watering your lawn until the soil soaks up to one inch of water for a depth of 6 to 8 inches is ideal.
3. The Right Time to Water
The arrival of summer doesn’t mean you immediately have to water your lawn if you’ve chosen to breathe life into it despite the heat. Allow your lawn to experience the impact of drought or summer for a few days before you start watering it. Letting this happen will improve its rooting.
On the other hand, if mowing is better done at night, water is better done during the day because water and sunlight are a more favorable combination. As much as possible, water your lawn early in the morning and especially when it has been benefiting from morning dew. Watering during early mornings also allows your soil to soak in more water, which will consequently make the nutrients from it to last longer.
4. An Exception for Newly Established Lawns
Although lawns don’t need as much moisture as other types of gardens, it’s different when the lawn’s newly established. A lawn in its baby stages will actually benefit more from a slightly increased frequency of watering. This schedule should be maintained until the grass has been properly seeded.
5. Why Over-Watering Isn’t Good
Use a rain gauge to prevent you from over watering your lawn. If you let that happen, the water supply of your lawn will actually decrease rather than increase. Worse, over watering makes your lawn more vulnerable to pests and harder to maintain and care for. Since lawns look better when they’re trimmed, you need to use water only when necessary so that you don’t have to trim your lawn repeatedly.
6. When Not to Water
There are certain instances when your lawn won’t benefit from a good dousing.
Tuning in to your weather station will let you know when to expect rain. If there’s about to be a downpour of rain, postpone your watering session and just let nature take care of your duty.
If you have just finished fertilizing your lawn, you should also refrain from watering because this could reduce the positive effects of fertilization.
7. Improving Irrigation
Achieving precise and positive results from watering isn’t easy, and that’s when improving irrigation comes in. Using an excellent irrigation system for your lawn will reduce the need for watering and increase the chances of maintaining the health of your lawn even during summer droughts.
There are several ways for you to improve your lawn’s irrigation system. Limit thatch removal, use nitrogen for cool season lawn grasses, and air out your soil consistently.
8. Read the Signs
There are times when your lawn may suffer from lack of water. You’ll know this when you see footprints you’ve left maintain their shape even after several hours have passed.
9. Hose vs. Sprinklers
A sprinkler system is the better choice over a water hose because you can apply it strategically so that all parts of your lawn are watered simultaneously. A sprinkler system also allows you better control over water volume and power.
10. Water Conservation
Lawn owners with concerns about water conservation can ease their conscience in several ways such as prohibiting people and animals from tramping over their lawn, letting grass grow beyond its required height, and avoiding using nitrogen during the summer.
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