Water is precious, it’s the source of all life on earth. Every year conditions are getting dryer, and some cities have to put restrictions on water usage. We hope that everyone wants to be water wise and conserve this important resource, but when the summer is in full force and your lawn starts to dry out, you want that nice green grass back.
So, is it possible to keep your lawn lush and green during the driest and hottest days of summer, while also saving water?
It sure is. But, in order to do so, you will want to make sure that your irrigation system is up to snuff – that means making sure that you are using water efficiently. You will also want to make sure that your lawn can fully utilize the water you’re giving it.
Water At the Right Time
There is a sweet spot when it comes to the time of day you should be watering your lawn. If you run your sprinklers at night, excess moisture can pool on the lawn fostering conditions that are prime for disease. However, water too late in the day and all that precious water could be up in steam before it even has the opportunity to penetrate down into the roots. The best time to water is in the early morning, giving the water enough time to soak down deep without soaking the lawn too thoroughly. By watering at the right time, you can give your lawn all the water it needs and prevent disease that may be caused by excess moisture accumulation.
Water Deep
Most lawns require between 1-2 inches of water per week. If you don’t water thoroughly enough, you might not be giving the water enough of a chance to soak down deep into the soil. This stunts the roots from going deep into the dirt, which is critical to helping your grass weather dry spells.
Ultimately grass that has shallow roots will look sickly, be less hearty, and require more water more frequently. Eventually you will start to have areas that are thinning or turning brown. One solution to ensure you are watering deeply is through use of a properly installed and calibrated irrigation system.
Audit Your Irrigation
Inspection of your irrigation system will reveal any leaks, or broken pipes that will require your immediate attention. Fixing these issues is essential if you wish to conserve water.
If your lawn is turning brown, the issue may be related to zoning. This basically just means where the water is being distributed by your sprinkler system. If you are noticing water accumulating on the sidewalk or in the driveway, your zoning needs to be adjusted. If you observe brown spots in your lawn, the issue could be a malfunctioning sprinkler head.
Making sure your irrigation system is in good working order will make care of your lawn much easier, as well as ensure that you are using water efficiently.
New Lawns Should Be Watered Often
If you have recently seeded your lawn, you will need to water it often. Make sure to keep the top ½ inch of soil damp. This may require you to water as much as twice a day, depending on the climate in your area. Keep this up until your new grass is at least an inch tall.
Once your lawn has established a healthy root system, then you can revert to a normal watering schedule, typically once or twice a week.