Lawns need water to be green and healthy, but too much or too little can cause damage. If you run your sprinkler system all night long, the lawn can develop diseases. If you only use the sprinkler infrequently and for short periods of time, the lawn will have shallow roots, which can lead to problems in hot weather. Here are some tips to make sure your lawn gets the right amount of water.
Rainfall usually provides enough water for a lawn to grow, but sometimes it needs to be supplemented. If you recently planted grass or there is an extended period of hot weather and drought, you may need to water your lawn. Wait until the grass has a dull green color and footprints remain visible.
It is important to water at the right time of day. You should not water your lawn between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. because that is the hottest part of the day. A lot of the water will be lost to evaporation and wind. The best time to water is between 6 and 10 a.m. because there is less sun and wind and the lawn will have all day to dry. If you are unable to water your lawn in the morning, the next best time to do it is between 4 and 7 p.m., when there will be less evaporation. In most cases, you should not water at night because that can encourage the growth of fungus and mildew. If you live in a dry region, it is better to water your lawn in the evening or at night because there will be less evaporation.
Water your lawn infrequently and give it a good soaking. If you are watering with a sprinkler, use about ½ inch of water twice a week. The amount of time it will take to apply that much water will depend on the type of sprinkler system you have. Set empty tuna cans on the lawn in different places and see how long it takes to fill them ½ inch. Make sure the water levels are equal so you know that the sprinkler is watering your lawn evenly. Another way to find out how much water your lawn has gotten is to use a rain gauge.
If there is an extended drought and your community has put lawn watering restrictions in place, you can let your lawn go dormant. A lawn can tolerate dry conditions for up to two months and can recover when rainfall increases and the weather turns cooler. If your lawn is used a lot, it will need to be watered. Heavy foot traffic on a dormant lawn can cause damage.
Sprinkler System Store sells many sprinkler systems made by leading manufacturers that can help you make sure your lawn gets the right amount of water to be lush and green. Order a new sprinkler system today to make the task of watering your lawn easier.
