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Water your lawn properly

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Proper Watering

Warm-season turf grasses (Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, Centipede grass and St. Augustine grass) are more drought resistant than cool-season grasses (Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass) and require about 20% less water.

Grass blades contain approximately 75% moisture.  Hot temperatures and wind will diminish blade moisture.  However, if the root system has adequate moisture, the turf will flourish.

When your lawn needs watering

Contrary to popular belief, lawns should be watered sparingly.

Established lawn watering should be done when grass shows any of the following signs:

  • The leaf blades are folded in half lengthwise-this is the grasses way of conserving moisture.
  • Footprints remain visible after it has been walked on
  • Your grass has a blue-grey color instead of green, and then ultimately turns brown.
  • Wilting leaves.
  • Rolling leaves.

When you do water, water deeply; soil should be moist two inches below the root zone.  Root length and grass height are directly related.  If you mow at three inches, the soil should be moist to a depth of five inches. This generally requires about 1 inch of water and should last 7 to 10 days. Monitor your lawn for the above signs to determine watering frequency.  Early morning (4 – 6am) is the best time to irrigate, while evening irrigation is more efficient.  Too much or too little irrigation causes lawn diseases.

Soil Requirements

Soil TypeSand
Sandy Loam
Loam
Silt Loam
Clay Loam
Clay		 Infiltration
Inch Per Hour2.0 inches
1.0 inches
0.5 inches
0.4 inches
0.3 inches
0.2 inches		 Time For 1 Inch
To Soak In0.5 hours
1.0 hours
2.0 hours
2.25 hours
3.3 hours
5.0 hours

Watering Rate

How do you determine your watering rate?

I place “tin” cans (aluminum cans will blow away and/or tip over easily) randomly around my lawn. After a watering session, I measure how deep the water is in each location. I average the depths to get one value. That value is the average rate for the lawn for the elapsed time. If I water for two hours and there is an average of 2 ½”, the watering rate is 1 ¼” per hour.

Watering new seed or sod

When installing new grass seed or sod you must keep the soil moist for it to survive. It is OK to water frequently (2 to 3 time a day) for a short period of time (10 to 15 min.) to keep the soil moist. This will promote rapid seed germination and root development. Typically, these watering habits should only be used until the root system of the new grass has started to develop. Once the roots have started to develop, you should follow the regular water guidelines.

Be kind to your lawn.  Don’t over-water!  You’ll save money and have a healthy lawn.

Steve

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