Part of a good summer lawn care routine is watering your lawn. But it’s not just about leaving the sprinklers on and calling it a day. If you want to achieve a lawn that looks vibrant and full of life, you have to know how to water your lawn correctly. Here we’ve collected the 10 best tips on how to water your lawn so it grows healthy and strong before fall arrives.
- Aim to water your lawn at around 1″-1 ½ ” of water per week.
Summer season can stress out your lawn due to the increased temperature. Thus, it is crucial to water your lawn sufficiently every week to keep it from getting worn out and flattened. Your lawn needs at least 1″-1 ½ ” of water weekly and you can measure this by investing in a rain gauge. This will help you determine if your lawn is getting the water it needs to minimise soil compaction and grass damage.
- Water your lawn deeply twice a week, not daily.
Ideally, you’d want to give your lawn a deep watering twice or three times a week to encourage a strong, deep root system. This makes it more drought-resistant which is crucial during summer season. Avoid watering your lawn deeply as this will result in a shallow root system due to the constant flooding of water.
- Water your lawn early in the morning.
The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning. This ensures that your lawn completely dries up before nighttime to prevent moisture or condensation issues. A wet lawn at night can be prone to fungus and disease problems so make sure to water it as early as you can. There’s less evaporation in the morning due to the cold breeze which can help you save up on your water bills. If watering in the morning is not possible, you can consider doing it in the late afternoon.
- Use a screwdriver as a measuring tool.
The 1″-1 ½ of water per week is a general guideline for most lawns. But keep in mind that different soil types require different amounts of water. Soil is composed of different materials like clay and sand (known as loam) which can affect your lawn watering habits. A clayish loam retains moisture better, but it can be difficult for the water to penetrate it. A sandy loam on the other hand, doesn’t retain as much moisture but can absorb water very quickly.
Try to push a 6” screwdriver in your lawn as a measuring tool to see if you’re watering your lawn enough. If the screwdriver goes all the way through, that means your lawn is receiving enough water. If not, you should add more sprinklers so that the soil remains nice and moist.
- Fescue lawns require more water during the summer season.
High winds and extreme temperatures can make your fescue lawn drought-stressed, which is why it’s crucial to water your lawn more frequently. Grass needs more water during summer because it also acts as a coolant, meaning you should aim to water your lawn daily in addition to your deep watering habits.
- Don’t let your water run down the street.
In some cases, the water will run down the street before you get half an inch of water on your lawn. If this happens, turn the sprinklers off and let the water soak in. This is most likely due to a compaction problem that’s prominent in heavy clay soil and high-traffic areas of your lawn. To alleviate this issue, consider aerating your lawn to minimise soil compaction and produce a stronger, deeper root system.
- Install an irrigation system.
An irrigation system is an efficient and cost-effective way of watering your lawn in summer. Most irrigation systems today come with a timer that allows you to schedule your watering while also using the exact amount of water needed for achieving an inch to half an inch. Utilise it to its full advantage during the summer season.
- Check your sprinklers.
Before watering, always inspect your sprinklers and make sure they aren’t clogged and have no torn lines. Often times homeowners don’t realise that a clogged sprinkler can affect your lawn watering by unevenly distributing the water. If you’re using an automatic sprinkler system, check them regularly to ensure your lawn is getting complete water coverage.
- Fix any brown spots on your lawn immediately.
Despite implementing healthy lawn watering habits, you might experience brown spots on your lawn, especially during the summer. This can be attributed to poor growing conditions or water erosion as a result of excess lawn watering. The sooner you treat the problem, the lesser the damage will be to your lawn. Fix brown spots immediately by loosening the soil and scatter high-quality seeds that are appropriate for your climate.
- Water your lawn evenly.
Watering your lawn at one root point can lead to one-sided root growth and poor nutrient absorption. Aim to water your lawn evenly to promote a consistent root growth for an overall healthier-looking lawn.
Why proper lawn watering in summer is crucial
Knowing how to water your lawn in the summer is important to achieve a lush, vibrant lawn. With these 10 tips, you’ll be able to keep your lawn in top condition while preventing common issues that may arise when the temperatures are high.
