Water is the essential ingredient in keeping a green and sharply cut lawn. For many homeowners, watering the lawn is done without great attention to detail, and sometimes even carelessly. It can be difficult to know how often or when to water your lawn so that it is provided with the moisture and nutrients it needs to thrive. the various seasons, weather conditions, frequency, and depth of the watering are all factors that play a huge role in the health of your lawn. however, following just a few easy rules of thumb, and keeping some of these helpful tips in mind, you will be able to maintain and enjoy a fresh lawn year round.
When to Water
In watering lawns, "when" is more of a personal question for the owner rather than a fact. However, it is highly encouraged that you handle watering in the morning before it gets a chance to get too hot outside. In the summer especially, watering your lawn during the morning is crucial to avoid evaporation before the water has a chance to sink in. Similarly, avoid watering at night as well to prevent fungus and mold from growing.
How to Water
More often than not, homeowners tend to over value watering their lawns frequently rather than deeply. Watering thoroughly can make all the difference in lawn care; short and shallow waterings will greatly shorten your grasses roots, making them more susceptible to diseases. Watering deeply will encourage the roots in your lawn to grow deeper, keeping your grass healthier. So how much water is enough water? Just as not watering enough can harm your grass, overwatering can cause problems too. Drowning the grass isn't the idea here, so a solid 1 to 2 inches a week should ensure a healthy lawn. If using sprinklers, be sure to place a bucket in the general area being watered. After watering your grass for 20-30 minutes, measure how much water is in the bucket. After doing this once you should have it timed out how long to set your sprinklers for.
Other Tips
On hills or sloped land, watering on the top end of the lawn is recommended, as this is the area that will need it the most. Other signs you need to water may include your grass appearing blue, footprints left behind, grass withering, or discoloration. If your grass needs to be watered, it will most likely be visible for obvious reasons.
