How Often Should I Water My Lawn?

Summer is full of outside activities, and you of course want to have your yard looking its best. Unfortunately, because of the summer heat, your grass can quickly turn dull in color or even completely yellow.

Summer is full of outside activities, and you of course want to have your yard looking its best. Unfortunately, because of the summer heat, your grass can quickly turn dull in color or even completely yellow.

Lawn care is a year-round process, and it is important not to underestimate the importance of watering. To many it is obvious that your lawn needs it to survive, but what many don’t know is how often or how much you should be watering your lawn.

When Should I Water?

Whether your lawn has been freshly seeded or recently fertilized, watering is beneficial for any application that was done.

The best time to water your lawn is in the mornings before the sun is at its peak temperature. Try to avoid watering in the middle of the day or at night. This gives your lawn plenty of time to absorb as much water as possible.

With the sun at its peak temperatures, the water will not have time to absorb deep into the roots before it is evaporated. If you water in the evening, your lawn can be left damp which can encourage fungus and any other diseases.

How Long Should I Water?

Whether you choose to water your lawn manually or with an irrigation system, you want to make sure that you do not overwater. If you do overwater your lawn, make sure that it is fully dry before watering it again.

If you walk on your grass and you see your footprints or if the grass starts to wilt, this is a sign that you have not watered enough.

Depending on how high the temperatures are and how long it has been without rainfall, your lawn should receive about 1-2 inches of water per week. Watering less frequently will get you the best results for your lawn’s health and color. 

Lawns that are established can withstand a couple of weeks without any rain or watering and as a response, it is normal for them to go into dormancy. You may notice that some areas do not bounce back to their original color or fullness after you start watering again. If your lawn is left without water for longer periods of time, it may become dry and thin, which can encourage the growth of weeds. This is why maintaining a watering schedule is beneficial for your yard.

Newly Seeded Lawns

If your lawn has been newly seeded or sodded, your watering schedule will be different. Unlike an established lawn, you will want to make sure you are watering daily. On the weeks when the temperatures are high, you may need to consider watering twice a day.

After 2-3 weeks, you can cut back on watering as frequently and switch to about twice a week.

If your lawn is receiving the correct nutrients, you’ll find that getting your lawn to have the best results and reach that luscious green color everyone strives for can be simple with just an extra step or two.