Tips for Properly Watering Your Lawn in the Summer
There's no question that your lawn needs water to thrive. But figuring out the right amount of water for your grass can be tricky. How often should you turn on the sprinkler? When should you turn it off? We answer those questions and more below.
Morning is the best time to hydrate.
The ideal time to turn on the sprinkler is during the hours of 5 AM and 9 AM. Wait any longer and the water will evaporate too fast to be beneficial. During the morning hours, there is less wind and sun -- and the lawn has more time to dry. With nighttime watering, the water doesn't have a chance to evaporate, resulting in diseases like mildew and brown patch.
Water no more than twice a week.
Grass gets thirsty in the summer. But unlike landscape plants that benefit from daily watering, your grass does not need to be watered each day. Keep it properly hydrated and encourage deep root growth with a watering schedule of twice a week at the most. Make sure it gets a total of 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week, including rainfall. But the amount can vary when summer weather brings extreme heat and drought conditions to Tampa. Not sure if your turf is getting enough hydration? Measure with a rain gauge.
Deep watering is best.
The depth of roots for healthy grass systems is about 6 inches into the soil. That's the depth to aim for when watering your lawn. The length of time it takes to reach the root system depends on the type of grass and soil. To be sure the water moistens the soil that far down, lift up the sod and check it every 15 minutes the first time you water it for the season. Make note of how long it takes the water to reach the sweet spot and that should be the amount of time you water it going forward.
Conserve water during the summer heat.
No matter how you hydrate your lawn, you don't want to waste water. A pulsating, revolving sprinkler is better than the oscillating style because it shoots water out horizontally at a velocity that isn't as vulnerable to the wind. If you use a hose-end sprinkler, set a timer to remind you when to turn it off. Irrigation system owners can:
- Use low-volume, low-angle sprinklers with appropriate head
- Set angle low to minimize evaporation
- Consider a newer rotary nozzle
Inadequate watering keeps your landscape from looking its best. A professionally installed automatic sprinkler system is the best way to maintain the healthy, green lawn you want. The experts at Your Green Team can handle all of your lawn irrigation services -- from installation to repair to monthly maintenance. Whether you need us to install a brand new system or need help with your current system, we are dedicated to providing top quality lawn irrigation services in Tampa.
Ready to enjoy all of the benefits of an irrigation system?