Pretty much everyone looks forward to spending time outdoors, under the sun, in the pool, and on the lawn. However, as we travel, we begin to see a difference in the lush green lawns of the neighborhood and begin to wonder why some lawns are greener. It comes down to the saturation health of our properties.
Contact Simmons Landscape and Irrigation, Inc., Bowling Green, OH, to learn about home irrigation installation and how to effectively water grass.
Is My Lawn Getting Enough Water?
Whether the lawn is getting enough water throughout the year is probably every homeowner’s most nagging question. There are a couple of simple ways to know if your yard is getting enough during the summer months.
The first way to tell is to look it over. It is essential to look over every part of your lawn closely.
Different lawn areas may receive different saturation levels, resulting in different appearances and different care. Dry, patchy areas are not getting enough water. Areas of excess growth, such as fungus, weeds, or yellow grass, indicate oversaturation.
Another way to tell is to conduct a screwdriver test.
Take a long screwdriver with a 6-8 inch tip. Hold the screwdriver by the handle and stick it into the lawn.
Your lawn is getting enough water if the screwdriver easily and quickly penetrates the soil. The yard is dry and not getting enough water If it takes effort to get the screwdriver into the ground.
How Much is Enough?
Lawns need one inch of rainfall each week to stay healthy. An inch of rain can penetrate 6 inches of soil. Soil needs saturation 6 – 8 inches deep to encourage root growth and create a firm, solid hold at the root base.
Adequate amounts of rainfall each week are not guaranteed, particularly in the summer months. During these low water weeks, provide additional watering to supplement the lawn with the extra water it may need.
Many homeowners aren’t sure how often to water grass, watering their lawns the same amount every week regardless of whether it rained in the days prior. However, this unnecessary routine can lead to overwatering.
When supplementing using rain to water your lawn, remember the 1 inch of water needed to saturate 6 – 8 inches of soil. Do not provide more than what is necessary to meet that requirement. On average, this requires watering the lawn for 15 minutes at a time, twice a week at most.
To know how long to water grass to get 1 inch of saturation, conduct a quick water collection test using a tuna or cat food can. Set the empty can in the area being watered by your sprinkler and monitor how long it takes to fill one inch with water. That is the approximate amount of time necessary for watering.
When is the Best Time of Day to Water Grass?
The best time to water your grass is early morning, between 4:00 and 10:00 a.m. This period is ideal because it allows water to saturate into the ground before being evaporated by the high heat of the afternoon. This time of day also enables the lawn to become sufficiently moist and saturated, allowing it to handle the intense heat better.
Many homeowners cannot imagine finding the energy and time to water the lawn before working hours. Instead, many homeowners opt to water in the early evening hours, believing it will have the same impact. However, choosing to water your lawn in the early or late evening hours can harm the yard.
Watering the lawn in the evening means there is no sun to soak up the excess water or encourage saturation. This time of day will leave excess water on your property to sit heavy overnight. This oversaturation leads to fungus and weed growth and invites unwelcome critters who can wreak havoc on the lawn and garden.
Another option for homeowners is to install a smart sprinkler system for their home.
What if Watering Isn’t Solving the Problem?
Many factors affect the appearance of our lawns, even when we think we are watering sufficiently and effectively. The type of grass and soil can make a big difference in how we care for our lawns to get green and lush.
Different soils have different saturation and water retention rates. Soil with a greater sand content doesn’t take long to soak but doesn’t retain water long. Soil with a greater clay content may take longer to saturate but remains saturated longer.
Grasses grow differently depending on the climate. Some grasses thrive best in cooler temperatures, and some thrive in warmer ones. Growing grass in a climate opposite to what it prefers can mean added work to get a beautiful lawn. It is crucial to consider the natural climate meant for the type of grass you may have to understand how to care for it.
It also makes a difference whether your lawn is new or well established. Well-established lawns have deep root placement and can handle more frequent and tougher watering types. A new property, freshly planted, that still requires grass roots to settle and seeds to grow, requires watering techniques that are gentler and more nurturing.
If you are not getting the results you expect, despite watering sufficiently and at the best time of day, consider talking to a lawn care specialist about the type of grass or soil content you may have.
Simmons Landscape and Irrigation, Inc.
Simmons Landscape and Irrigation, Inc. have more than four generations of experience helping customers achieve the beautiful lawn of their dreams. Over the years, they have developed unmatched knowledge in irrigation, plants, and design. They are a full-service landscaping service dedicated to quality, beauty, and stress-free care allowing the customer to enjoy their home, gardens, and families without worry.
For the best irrigation installation, maintenance, and repair, contact Simmons Landscape and Irrigation, Inc. in Bowling Green, OH, at the contact page to get started. Let them help you understand the most effective way and time to water grass to get the lush green lawn you desire.