How much to water? When to water? Should I water?
All of these questions are common among homeowners who want to maintain the lush appearance of their lawns, but are also concerned about their water bill and water conservation.
So, is there a happy medium?
Yes, to a certain extent. The first thing you can do (if you plan on reseeding your lawn) is choose a drought-resistant turf grass. Here is a short guide to turf grasses commonly used in the U.S.:
- Tall fescue – Tall fescue, because it develops a deep root system, can be very drought-resistant. If it isn’t grown or maintained properly, however, the root system will not be deep and the grass will therefore not be as drought-resistant.
- Kentucky bluegrass – Kentucky bluegrass can often survive through long periods of drought by going into summer dormancy. New growth is quickly started, however, when moisture becomes available.
- Perennial ryegrass – Perennial ryegrasses are not very tolerant to drought conditions and usually do not thrive well unless adequately irrigated.
- Fine fescues – Fine fescues typically do not need much water, and therefore do quite well during drought periods.
- Warm season grasses – Warm season grasses, such as Bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine, actually thrive in hot weather conditions, as they require very little water.
Lawns grow best in environments which do not require a lot of supplemental watering. Turf grasses, in general, need about ¾ to 1 inch of water per week to maintain their green color and active growth.
How much water is appropriate for your lawn
You have two options during periods of high temperatures and little rain: you can continue to water or allow your grass to go dormant. You must make a decision and stick with it, though, as switching back and forth between periods of dormancy and periods of growth can damage the roots.
You can visualize stress in your grass when the color turns from lighter green to a darker green. You can also study the foot patterns in the grass. If the grass does not quickly bounce back up after you walk on it, it may be under stress from lack of water.
It is important to thoroughly water your grass so that the moisture soaks down into the roots. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, except on newly sodded lawns or when summer patch disease is a problem.
When you should water your lawn
It is best to water early in the day when the lawn is still wet from the morning’s dew. Avoid watering midday, as excessive evaporation can result. Also avoid watering at night, as this may create a breeding ground for disease.
Make sure your sprays overlap to ensure uniform coverage. You can check this by simply setting a series of containers at different points in your yard and measuring the amount of water in each container after watering. You can then adjust your sprinkler patterns to compensate for drier areas.
Do not deeply water your lawn after fertilization, as this can cause the fertilizer to wash into the water system. Instead, lightly water it into the soil and avoid fertilizing all together if heavy rains are forecasted.
With planning and irrigation insight, you can water your lawn at optimal levels, while saving on water and energy costs.
