Why Is Watering Your Lawn a Good Thing?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, over half of a household’s outdoor water use is for gardening and lawn-watering. This comes close to 9 billion gallons per day, so you can be forgiven for wondering, “How much is too much water?”

But our lawns actually offer us great benefits, including several environmental ones we shouldn’t overlook.

If you’ve ever wondered if watering your lawn is a good thing, here’s what you need to know.

Why Should You Be Watering Your Lawn?

Let’s start with the most obvious reason: visual appeal.

If you’re like most homeowners, you take pride in your home’s curb appeal, and nothing can drag that curb appeal down like an ugly brown lawn. A vibrant, grassy front yard adds a touch of verdant beauty to the outside of your house, and it also provides a great space for you and your family to spend time outside.

But a grassy yard is about more than just looks.

Lawns also offer some of the same environmental benefits of other plants, such as trapping CO2, releasing oxygen, and even trapping dust. They can also help prevent wind and water erosion during heavy storms, and they provide a habitat for small local wildlife.

Beyond this, grassy areas also reduce noise pollution when compared to harder surfaces like packed dirt or cement. In addition, cooling a home surrounded by heat-absorbing concrete, dirt, or stones, can take more energy than it takes to cool a house surrounded by grass.

What Are the Best Ways to Water Your Lawn?

While those benefits are worth keeping, it’s important to be smart about watering your lawn. As much as 50% of the water used for lawn irrigation is wasted through inefficient watering methods.

First, consider whether you need to water your lawn. The EPA’s recommendation is to step on a patch of grass; if it springs back, no watering is needed. You should also consider your local rainfall, as most types of grass need just an inch of water each week, including precipitation.

Next, make sure you’re watering the right way. Make sure you’re using your sprinkler system for long, deep waterings of 20-30 minutes that allow your grass to dry fully in between, encouraging deeper roots. Don’t over-water.

You should also water at the correct times to avoid evaporation. Water early in the morning, between 6-8 a.m., whenever possible. If you have the option, you might want to program your sprinkler the evening before!

Watering using the steps above can help you reap the benefits of a healthy lawn without wasting water unnecessarily.

Get the Lawn Irrigation Tools You Need

When it comes to watering your lawn, having the right tools can make all the difference. Using the sprinkler system that works for your yard size and watering needs goes a long way in saving water while encouraging healthy growth. Check out our products to find the best choices for you.

Don’t forget to check out our other blog posts for more tips on keeping your landscaping healthy and water-smart.