Water is an essential nutrient needed for every living being, including plants. Your lawn has a vast stretch of grass which does need water to stay hydrated and green. But watering must be systematic so that you can give your lawn the necessary water and eventually maintain a healthy lawn.
Signs of grass in lawn needing water
- When you walk on the lawn and if you can see your footprints in the grass.
- When your vibrant green grass turns dull bluish grey.
- When some of the leaf blades start wilting.
- When your lawn’s top layer of soil becomes dry and crumbly.
- When your lawn grass grows slower than usual.
- When you see patchy spots- brown or yellow patches in your lawn
What is the ideal water needed for your lawn?
More specifically, most lawns require 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to sufficiently hydrate the soil. This amount of water either be given in a single watering session or across two waterings during the week. Breaking down on time, it might take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water which can be watering 20 minutes 3 times per week.
Consequences of less watering
When you less water your lawn, it can result in shallow grass roots, lawn funguses, and the death of helpful microbial activity. Further, if you do not water for an extended period, the grass plants will get dormant and eventually dry out.
Consequences of overwatering
Overwatering can cause the soil to get too wet and eventually depleted of oxygen, which kills roots and causes the plant to become weaker. An indication of overwatering is slow, stunted development and browning leaves. Leaf scorch or burn can be harmful to plants. Overwatering often stresses shallow-rooted plants, making them vulnerable to disease and insect damage. Additionally, overwatering wastes money and water, and overwatering contaminates groundwater.
Factors to Consider when watering grasses
There are various factors that influence the frequency of watering the lawn grass. Some of them are grass type, soil type, and season greatly contribute to it.
Type of grass
There are different types of grasses used for your lawn. Thus, you need to know well about which grass you use needs what amount of water.
Soil type
The type of soil also determines your water routine. For example, Sandy soil does not hold much water, while Clayey soil holds much more water.
Season
Climate or season also plays a role in watering your lawn. During the monsoon season, you may not need to water frequently, while in summer, you may have to water frequently.
Check Also: Lawn Watering Equipments
FAQs on Watering Lawn
Should you water the grass every day when it’s hot?
You must water your flowers and shrubs frequently in hot, dry weather, but avoid watering grass on those scorching afternoons when it’s 95 degrees or higher. The reason behind not watering in the afternoon is that majority of the water you water with during the hottest times of the day will evaporate and not soak into the grass. So, always water your lawn during the morning time. A fresh start for you and your lawn.
Is it better to water longer or more often?
You can choose to water your lawn for a longer length of time, but “deep watering, because ‘deep watering’ produces deep roots, which means lawns can better survive periods of drought.
Can watering dead grass bring it back?
Watering dormant grass can help, but watering dead grass can’t help in reviving it. To check what a dormant is, take out a small quantity of brown grass, and if it resists, it is dormant, but if it comes out, then sadly, the grass is dead. So, you can start watering dormant and take protective measures.
Wrapping Up
The best time to water your lawn is in the early morning as watering can provide the water time to absorb and help deliver nutrients and oxygen to the grass. To properly feed your lawn with the water, nutrients, and maintenance it needs, you must study to learn more about your lawn and the grass you have. Overall, watering daily may be too much, while watering once a week is not enough. So, you must opt for a middle-ground approach and watch your lawn grow.