Watering Tips
Watering Techniques
To know when to water, look for early signs of wilt and dehydration. Common signs include a bluish-green color, curling grass blades and footprints that remain on the lawn.
Most lawns require about an inch of water per week. If you're unsure of how long to water, put a mark one inch from the bottom of several plastic containers and spread them around the watering zone. Clock the time it takes to reach the one-inch mark and water for that length of time in the future.
Water may be applied any time of day, but morning watering is usually the most efficient because less water is lost to evaporation and wind drift.
Watering Methods
Portable sprinklers are a fairly inexpensive way to water your lawn. As they vary in their range and distribution methods choose one based on the size and shape of your watering zone.
- Stationary sprinklers are best used in small areas that other sprinklers miss or that need supplemental water.
- Impact and rotary sprinklers are meant to water circular-shaped areas on medium to large lawns.
- Oscillating sprinklers move a fan of water over a large, rectangular area, while revolving sprinklers shoot jets of water in a circular pattern in smaller areas.
If you want to maximize efficiency, consider installing an irrigation system. These are controlled by a timer, eliminating the need to interrupt your schedule to water. They also help conserve water and are ideal for vacation homes or for the homeowner who travels often.
Drought
Always follow any water restrictions in your area during a drought. Drought can be tough on your lawn as well as the environment, causing extensive damage to land and livelihoods. Since drought affects everyone equally, it’'s crucial that we respect our environment by making an effort to conserve water.
Prevent runoff and waste by closely monitoring watering and directing sprinklers away from sidewalks and streets.
During short droughts, if the grass is still growing, mow on the high side to help shade the roots and water infrequently, but deeply, to encourage a strong, deep root system. Watering just a little bit invites weeds to grow.
If you live in an area prone to drought, reconsider your landscape. Group plants with similar water requirements to prevent wasted water, and plant drought-tolerant and pest-resistant species of grass, trees and shrubs.
Too Much Water
Heavy rains or flooding can be harmful to your lawn. If the lawn is underwater for less than four days, the temperature is under 60 degrees, and no erosion takes place, chances are high that the lawn will survive.
Remove all debris, silt and mud deposited on the lawn after a storm. If something has contaminated the soil, be sure to flush the lawn until you're confident the root system is free from the contaminant.
If you're having frequent flooding problems, fill in any low spots or depressions in your lawn, and grade slopes so that water drains away from the house and the foundation. If you're still having drainage problems, consider installing a drain tile.
Lots of wet weather often causes the growth of mushrooms, which work to break down old organic matter in the soil. While mushrooms aren't harmful, you can mow them down if you like. But if they grow in a circle of dark green grass called a Fairy Ring, the grass within the circle may die as it competes with the ring for water.
Moss and algae are caused by poor drainage or too much shade. Moss may be controlled by raking, but these problems will continue until the drainage or shade issues are addressed.
