Lawn Watering Tips 101
Did you know that a healthy lawn can increase a property's value by up to 15-20%. Did you know that an average sized lawn (1/3 acre) can hold over 1 million grass plants?
Watering grass can seem like such a simple chore but be careful - there is plenty of room for error and plenty of nuances to be mindful of when tending for this investment of yours.
The goal here is always a healthy, strong, lush, green lawn. Let us help you out with a few tips from our certified experts.
Lawn Watering Tips (Do):
-
Water in the fall: Fall is a crucial time for your lawns' health. It needs to recover from the stress of summer and needs to prepare to survive a cold upcoming winter.
-
Water early in the day: This will allow the maximum amount of water to be absorbed into soil and keep your grass temperatures cool on hot summer days.
-
Water Evenly: If you are using an irrigation system, test out your sprinkler by placing containers throughout yard to see how much each area is getting. Adjust as needed.
-
Water if you begin to see curled blades or discoloration.
-
Make sure your lawn is getting at least 1-1.5 inches of water per week.
-
Water infrequently (1-2 times per week): Encourages stronger root growth.
-
The Screwdriver Test: If you can't easily drive 6 inches of a screw driver into your lawn, it might be time to water.
-
Syringing: When temperatures exceed 85 degrees water daily around 1pm for 5 minutes per zone. Applying small amounts of water (0.10 inches or less) helps correct plant water deficits, reduces plant temperature and washes leaves.
Things to Avoid when Watering My Lawn:
-
Do not water your lawn anymore if you see runoff.
-
Overwater: Shaded areas of your lawn and north facing areas of your yard don’t need as much water.
-
Don't cut your grass too short. Longer grass shades roots allowing for higher moisture retention.
-
Don't water your lawn in the evening. Less sunlight means less water evaporation and absorption. This leaves grass moist, promoting fungal disease growth.
-
Don't water your lawn every day. Watering infrequently (every 2-3 days or so) encourages roots to grow downward in search of water. This will help build a stronger root system.
Bottom Line: Water is essential to your turf's health but too much or too little of it can do harm. Weather, time of day, type of grass, and watering frequency can all play a role in how much water your yard needs so be sure to educate yourself or speak to a trusted expert about it.
If you think that something else might be wrong with your lawn please read these related articles:
Since 2007, Green Meadow Lawn Care has provided homeowners throughout the greater Tolland, Connecticut area with premium fertilization programs, tick control, mosquito management, seeding & aeration and tree & shrub care.
Visit our Learning Center to find out more about how our services can help you or visit our Youtube Channel to view more in our Learning Center Series.
To speak to our Customer Service Manager, please call Dave (view Dave's video bio here) with any questions. Dave has been in the industry for 30 years and is always happy to help with his expert advice.
860-870-5700