How and When to Water Your Lawn

Lush, green grass adds curb appeal to your home and absorbs the wear and tear of everyday summertime activity, so you want to take care of it. Aside from weekly mowing, your lawn requires maintenance, including consistent watering. Check out a few tips on how and when to water your lawn for best overall grass health and longevity. 

When to Water Your Lawn

Believe it or not, there are good and bad times of day to water your lawn. It all has to do with absorption and hydration. Experts agree that the hours before 10:00 a.m. are ideal watering times for grass. Weather conditions impact water absorption, and early to mid-morning hours usually have lower temperatures and wind speed, so water won’t evaporate before it penetrates the soil. 

If a morning watering isn’t possible, late afternoon (after temperatures have peaked) is the next best option because temperatures are decreasing. However, watering too late at night, when temperatures are much lower may also inhibit moisture absorption. When water sits on the surface, it could lead to nasty fungus ruining your perfect lawn. 

Best Ways to Water Your Lawn

Hose or sprinkler? Oscillating or pulsating? While manually watering with a hose gives you greater control over distribution and prevents overwatering, it just isn’t realistic for most people who work. The next best option is to invest in a sprinkler system. Built-in sprinklers pay for themselves over time, although a hose hookup with a pulsating sprinkler is more than adequate if your aren’t in the position to make a larger investment. 

Established lawns get the most nutrients from pulsating sprinklers. This classic delivery system disperses water horizontally to avoid being impacted by wind. 

How Often Should You Water Your Lawn?

Sometimes less is more. In fact, overwatering your lawn can actually do more harm than good. This creates a weak and shallow root system and promotes fungus growth. So what’s the “secret sauce” for watering the right amount? Moderation. Different species of grass have varying needs, but a general rule of thumb is to water your lawn enough that it has the equivalent of one inch of water to drink each week. 

To break this down, it comes to about 15-20 minutes two or three times per week. The amount allows nutrients to penetrate approximately six inches into the soil, strengthening the roots. 

Call Super Terry For Your Summer Plumbing Needs

It takes more than a hose or sprinkler to water your lawn properly. You need to make sure your plumbing system is in top shape. For help with water lines and pipes, give Terry’s Plumbing a call! We’re available 24/7 to deploy emergency services and work with your schedule.