A lot of homeowners don’t know the importance of watering their grass, and this can lead to a host of problems. For a healthy and lush lawn all year long, it is essential that your grass gets the right amount of water! Even though our lawns are lush during the summer months, depending on where you live your grass may need water all year-round in order to stay healthy. If you’re not sure how much or when to water your lawn, we’ve put together some helpful tips on proper watering for you!
Why proper watering is important
It may seem hard to believe, but about 40% of the water in the average American home is used on their lawns. That’s a lot of water! Now that you know how much water your grass uses up each and every year, you now understand why it’s so important to give it the right amount of water as needed.
How does too little water affect grass? If your lawn gets too little water, usually to the point where it doesn’t even get to see any rainwater, it will become a dry and brittle mess very easily. Too much? Grass can experience root rot, or have valuable nutrients and fertilizers washed down the drain!
In order to keep a healthy lawn and maintain the aesthetic appeal of your home you need to provide it with plenty, but not too much, water.
It’s important to understand that during periods of drought, grass needs more water than usual in order to survive. In fact, even if your grass is still green; improper watering actually causes the roots to die out over time. This is why one of the first signs of drought stress in your grass is that your lawn begins to turn brown. In addition, when you water too little; it takes longer for your grass to recover from wear and tear or even foot traffic.
How to water your grass properly
The best way to water your grass is to do so infrequently and deeply. This method gives the roots of your grass plenty of time to absorb the water which means that you won’t have to water as often—saving time, money and effort.
The first step is using a hose that’s equipped with a shut-off nozzle; this allows you to water your entire lawn at once and prevents the unnecessary waste of water. A smart irrigation system is an excellent investment and allows for accurate and timed watering. Some systems are even equipped with moisture readers which will only activate when necessary!
The second step is to use a watering can or drip system, but only during times of drought when your grass needs more moisture.
When doing so, work from the top down in order to reach the deepest roots of your grass first. Try placing a small amount of water directly over the center of your lawn then move in a clockwise direction until you reach the outer perimeter of your property.
When watering your grass; don’t use any fertilizer or chemicals and be sure to stay away from slopes, driveways or other areas where excess water can easily run off towards your neighbors.
How much water does your lawn need?
The exact amount of water your grass needs is different based on factors such as temperature, sun exposure and type of soil. But generally speaking, a healthy lawn needs about 1 inch of water every week. If the weather is hot and sunny then be sure to increase this amount so that you can keep up with its increased need for moisture.
Grassroots need 1 inch of water every week in order to stay healthy and strong. Watering lawns on a shallow basis can cause the grass plant to become stressed, making it more susceptible to disease and insects.
Tips for Better Watering
The last thing you want to do is end up wasting money on water bills and fertilizer by under- or over-watering your grass. For those of you who may not know, overwatering and under-watering are two of the leading reasons why most lawns fail.
Here are some tips on how to water your lawn properly:
1) Water the perimeter first – There’s no need to water the middle of your grass as much as you do the side walls surrounding it. This will help prevent damage from too much wetness in one area, which can result in molding or rotting if not treated immediately.
2) Use good judgment when watering at night – If there was rain that day and you need to water again that evening, make sure that there were only spells of light rain. Light rain can easily get absorbed into the soil while heavier rainfall could saturate and rot your grass.
3) Try to water your lawn during cloudy days – It’s best to avoid watering your lawn when it’s sunny. This is because the heat from the sun can dry up your grass, making it brittle and prone to damage.
4) Check the weather forecast – This is an obvious tip but still, a lot of people don’t do it. Take note of extreme temperatures and rain conditions so you can adjust your watering schedule properly.
5) Water on a slope for a healthy lawn – If possible, do not water your entire lawn at one time. Instead, focus on watering only parts that need hydration or you can use different sprinklers for different areas of the yard to help control where and how much water gets onto your grass.
It’s easy to forget how important water is for keeping our lawns green and healthy; however, doing so greatly diminishes their aesthetic value. Moreover, if neglected, lawn problems like crabgrass or fungus can quickly get out of control. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
