Everybody knows that a lawn needs water to stay green and healthy, but many people make mistakes because they don’t know when and how to water their grass. Watering at the wrong time or using the wrong amount of water can do more harm than good. Here are some common mistakes to avoid and tips on the right way to water your lawn.
One common mistake people make when watering their lawns is not watering deeply enough. You want the water to penetrate 6 inches into the soil. The first time you water your lawn, check the soil by lifting it up with a shovel every 15 minutes to see how long it takes for the water to work its way down 6 inches. Then water for that amount of time every time you water your lawn in the future.
People sometimes think that more water is better, but that is not true. You should only water your lawn once a week for clay soil or every three days for sandy soil. Watering too much can lead to a shallow root system and fungus.
Another mistake some people make is only watering the lawn occasionally, letting it go dormant, and then watering it again. This stresses out the grass. If you want to water your lawn, make a plan and stick to it.
If you live in a housing development that was built recently, you may have hard soil. This can make it difficult for water to penetrate into the ground. When people have hard soil, they often water the lawn for a long time to try to get the water to soak into the soil. That causes the water to run off. If you have hard soil, water the lawn for 30 minutes, let the water soak in, and then water for another 30 minutes.
Another common mistake is watering the lawn at the wrong time. The best time to water your lawn is in the morning between 4 and 10 a.m. This is because the air is usually cooler and there is generally not a lot of wind to blow the water droplets. If you water your lawn in the afternoon, the water will quickly evaporate before it reaches the roots. Watering in the evening can be problematic because the water will stay on the blades of grass at night, which can promote lawn diseases. If you can’t water your lawn in the morning before work, you can use a sprinkler system so it will be watered automatically.
A sprinkler system with a timer is a smart investment that can make it easy to make sure your lawn gets the right amount of water when it needs it. If you have an established lawn, you can use a pulsating, revolving sprinkler that shoots water out horizontally. If you have recently planted grass, use an oscillating sprinkler until the grass establishes its roots. The water will land more softly and will not push the seeds. Sprinkler System Store carries a selection of sprinklers and timers made by leading manufacturers. Order a sprinkler system today.
