There are several things to consider when you want to know how often you should water the lawn. Climate differences and different types of grasses require different amounts of water. You can tell if your lawn is not getting enough regular moisture by digging your fingers into the soil a few inches. If it is dry and crumbly, you need to give the lawn more water. Too much moisture can be detrimental to your lawn’s health as well, so try to avoid giving your lawn more water than the soil can comfortably hold.
Seasonal Changes
There are seasons when you will not need to water your lawn at all. Other seasons you may need to water the lawn twice a day to keep it properly hydrated. During the winter months your lawn will still need to be watered regularly. Most lawns require at least an hour of watering every third day during the winter. During the heat of the summer your lawn may need to be watered for an hour every morning as well as every evening. The morning watering will help protect your lawn from being scorched by the summer sun.
Grass Type
Different grasses require different amounts of moisture to thrive. The most common grass that is used for sodding home yards requires about one inch of moisture every week to achieve the best health. Some grasses, like Kentucky Bluegrass, require less moisture to maintain a lush and green appearance. In general, if your lawn’s grass has thicker blades, it will need more water. Grasses with wispier or thin blades don’t need as much water to remain healthy. Grass that grows in areas that are predominantly shady will also thrive without as much watering.
Soil Type
There are three basic soil types that can impact how much water you need to use. Clay, sand, and loam all accept water in different ways. If your soil is predominantly clay the water will take longer to soak into the ground. A clay lawn should be watered for at least an hour daily with a sprinkler that disperses the water evenly. Sandy soil tends to soak up the water more quickly, but it transfers the moisture deep into the earth and away from the roots of the grass. You should water sandy soil for a shorter amount of time two or three times per day. Loam soil accepts and holds moisture in an ideal fashion for grass growth. You can water a loam yard for half an hour in the evening and it will thrive nicely.
Best Time of Day
Watering your lawn is most effective in the early evening. If you water too early in the day the moisture will be evaporated by the sun before it has a chance to be soaked up by your lawn’s roots. If you water in the evening the moisture will have a chance to soak down into the root structure and provide the maximum benefit for your lawn.
Results of Proper Watering
The purpose of watering your lawn is to create a strong, healthy root system for your grass. If you water often enough, the grass will grow more densely and your lawn will look and feel healthier. Keep track of any changes in the color or thickness of your lawn as the year progresses. You will begin to notice patterns as areas of the yard receive too much moisture or not enough. These visual clues will allow you to target your watering efforts where they are needed the most instead of blanketing the entire lawn with water. Targeted watering saves time and money through the reduced amount of water used.
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