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Watering a lawn may not seem difficult, but with finicky summer weather, there are best practices that every homeowner should know. Get answers to common questions like, “What time of day should I water my lawn?”, “How much water does my lawn need?”, “How long should I water my lawn for?” and more.
Enjoy your summer days outdoors with a lush, green lawn that has the perfect amount of hydration. Here’s what you need to know on how to properly water your lawn during the summer:
As a rule of thumb, the best time of day to water your lawn is early morning when temperatures are at their lowest for the day. Some professionals even say any time before 10 a.m. is the perfect time to water your turf, but the key is that you water early enough to where the water can fully soak into the soil before it evaporates. Watering at night or in the evening is not encouraged because the later you water, the more susceptible your lawn will be to disease.
Generally, most lawns require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. How many times per week you’ll need to water will depend on a few things. If you’ve received plenty of rain within the last week, you can likely skip watering for a few days. Experiencing a drought? Your lawn will expectedly need more water more often to thrive.
If it’s up to you to provide your lawn the water it needs to stay hydrated, you can give all 1 to 1.5 inches of water within 1 day or divide that up into 2 to 3 soakings on separate days.
No matter what schedule you choose to follow, be sure not to overindulge your lawn with water. Overwatering can lead to disease and will kill microbial activity. It’s also important to follow your city’s guidelines for water usage. Some areas have specific days and times you’re allowed to water your lawn at large; get familiar with your town’s regulations before establishing a watering schedule.
The amount of time you water your lawn will vary depending on your lawn size, climate and weather conditions. On average, it takes about 30 minutes to get a half-inch of water. This roughly translates into 3 to 4.5 20-minute sessions per week if you’re aiming to provide between 1 to 1.5 inches of water.
If the lawn you are caring for is small and easy to water, a hose with a sprinkler attachment could do the trick. Before purchasing a sprinkler at your local hardware or home and garden store, ensure that you choose the best sprinkler for your space by considering the square footage it reaches and if it has a customized spray pattern.
If the yard you’re caring for is large and time-consuming to water, an irrigation system might be best. By installing an irrigation system, you have the convenience of turning your sprinklers on via a timer. That means you won’t run the risk of wasting water and you can set schedules so that it automatically waters your lawn when you want.
Keep your lawn and landscape healthy and green all year round with a tailored lawn care plan designed specifically for your needs.