Watering your lawn -- how often and how much? (ASK Advice)

Nothing hits the spot like a cool glass of water on a hot summer's day. While plants need water too, you might be surprised to learn that your lawn doesn't like drinking the way that you do! Watering the lawn every day might sound like the best way to keep it hydrated, but it could actually stunt root growth. Shallow, frequent watering encourages shallow roots, which are more susceptible to drought and other stresses. By contrast, watering less often but for longer allows moisture to penetrate deeper into the soil. Grass naturally stays healthy with one inch of rain per week. You can generally deliver this amount of water with an hour of watering per week. However, some factors can increase the number of times your lawn needs to be watered. For example, sandy soils drain much more quickly than clayey soils, and young grass plants need more water than mature lawns. Under these conditions, you may water more often but for shorter periods of time, for example 20-30 minutes twice a week.

Over-watering can not only bump up your water bill and deplete natural resources but also damage your lawn. Keeping the grass blades wet for long periods of time—for example overnight—creates ideal conditions for fungal lawn diseases such as molds. Excess water can generally promote weeds, pests, thatch buildup, and compaction. You can also use a water bill calculator to see how much watering your lawn is costing you. An over-watered lawn can even turn yellow and feel soggy or spongey when you walk on it. For these reasons, it’s important to watch the weather and pull back on your watering routine based on how much it rains. Here's a tip: take your shoes off and walk barefoot throughout the lawn. If the grass is crispy, water deeper (not more frequently). If you feel standing water or wet/soggy areas, pull back until you reach a happy balance. 

If you live in a drought-prone area, you might also consider including resistant grass varieties to have a healthier lawn with reduced dependence on irrigation. Drought-tolerant grasses include Zoysiagrass, Bahiagrass, Buffalograss, and Tall Fescue, just to name a few. Additionally, keep in mind that cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, will need to be watered more often than warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass. It’s also worth noting that you don’t have to panic if you experience a water-use ban or chose to conserve water and don’t water your lawn during a drought. Your grass will go dormant and can survive for a few weeks or even longer without watering. When the rain returns, it will recover its vibrancy again.

In summary, here are some quick tips on properly watering your lawn:

• Water for one hour every 5 days as a rule of thumb (if there's no rain).
• Know your soil, know your plants. Water sandy soils, new grass, or cool season grasses more often.
• Water in the morning (before 10 am) rather than the evening.
• Check for brown spots and make sure your sprinklers reach all areas.
• Watch the weather to pull back on watering in rainy weather.
• Consider drought-resistant grass varieties as needed.

Hoping you and your lawn are staying hydrated this summer!

Dr. Nina Camillone – AgriTech Corp. Soil Health Expert

Need to order a soil test kit?  It comes with watering tips!