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Watering Your Lawn
Level of difficulty: Beginner
As a general rule, most lawns require about one inch of water per week from rain or sprinkling to
penetrate to their roots. This can usually be achieved by using your sprinkler for approximately one to one and a half hours at one time, depending on your type of lawn sprinkler. Shorter, more frequent watering can produce a shallow root system which makes the grass more vulnerable to weeds
and insects.
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| When to Water? | | | If the lawn needs water badly, any time will do, but whenever possible water early in the day, rather than evenings, as late watering can encourage the spread of fungus disease. |
| Look For These Lack-of-Water Stress Signs: | |  | | - Grass turns a silvery blue in areas and, if not watered soon, will turn brown.
- Footprints in lawn. Grass beginning to need water does not spring back after being stepped on. Footprints remain clearly in the lawn, which indicates that watering is needed.
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| Coping with Watering Restrictions | | | If your community imposes watering restrictions, remember that a little water is better than none. So water whenever allowed. Following a good season-long fertilizing program helps grass develop a sturdy root system, so the grass can take full advantage of whatever water is available. |
| Watering New Seedings | |  | Improper watering is one of the most common causes for seeding disappointments.
The seed bed must be kept moist to cause grass seed to germinate.
Once seeds begin to sprout, the top 1/2-inch or so of soil should never be allowed to dry out until the new grass plants are well established. The tiny seedlings will die if the soil is allowed to dry out. This may mean watering several times a day -- especially in hot or windy weather.
The key is to water new seedings frequently, not deeply. Using a sprinkler that delivers a fine spray is preferred over sprinklers that deliver a heavier flow of water. |
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| |  Information and images courtesy of Scotts lawn care. |
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