Watering grass is an important part of lawn care and maintenance. Proper watering keeps grass healthy, green, and resilient. Knowing how often to water grass can help you use water efficiently while keeping your lawn looking its best. The frequency with which grass needs to be watered depends on several factors, including the type of grass, climate conditions, soil type, and time of year. Establishing a proper watering schedule is crucial for a thriving lawn.
How Often Should Grass Be Watered in Summer?
During the hot summer months, grass requires more frequent watering to replenish moisture lost due to evaporation and transpiration. As a general guideline, cool season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue should be watered every 5 to 7 days in the summer. Warm season grasses like Bermuda grass and zoysia grass need watering every 2 to 3 days during peak summer heat.
Some key tips for summer lawn watering:
– Provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water to the grass each time you water. For most lawns, this equates to about an hour of sprinkler time.
– Water early in the morning between 4am to 10am. Avoid watering in the evening when evaporation rates are high.
– Watch for signs of drought stress like wilting, bluish-gray color, and footprints remaining visible after walking on the grass. These are cues to water your lawn immediately.
– Adjust watering frequency based on rainfall. After a decent rain (0.5 inches or more), you likely don’t need to water for 5-7 days.
– Water less often but deeper during extreme heat waves to promote deep root growth. This helps make grass more heat and drought tolerant.
How Often to Water Grass in Spring and Fall
In the more moderate temperatures of spring and fall, your lawn needs less frequent irrigation:
– Cool season grasses like bluegrass and fescue should be watered every 10 to 14 days in spring and fall.
– Warm season grasses like Bermuda and zoysia need watering every 5 to 7 days in the spring and fall periods.
– Reduce watering frequency if rainfall provides a portion of the grass’s moisture needs.
– Water early in the morning to prevent fungal diseases.
– Monitor lawn for signs of drought stress and water immediately if necessary.
– Visit your lawn after watering to check moisture penetration into the root zone. Homeowners often water too lightly and too frequently in spring and fall.
Watering Grass in Winter
Grass becomes dormant in winter and needs very little irrigation. Most lawns receive enough moisture from winter rain and snow:
– There is generally no need to provide additional water to lawns during winter dormancy.
– An exception is during unseasonably warm and dry periods in winter when the grass breaks dormancy. In that case, water every 10 to 14 days to prevent total drying out.
– Water only if absolutely necessary during hard freezes, as application of water can make grass more prone to freeze damage.
Watering Newly Planted Grass Seed or Sod
Proper watering is crucial when establishing a new lawn from seed or sod:
– Keep seedbeds continually moist for the first 3 weeks after seeding new grass. Water 2 to 3 times per day in hot weather.
– After grass seed germinates, reduce watering frequency but increase duration to condition the developing grass plants.
– For new sod, water daily (even twice daily) for the first week to prevent root drying. Soak to a 3-inch depth.
– For the next 2 to 3 weeks, water sod every other day as roots take hold. Provide 1 to 1.5 inches per watering.
– After 4 weeks, transition to a typical watering regimen based on grass type, climate, and other factors.
How Long to Water Grass
Proper irrigation is not just about watering at the right times but also for an adequate duration. Here are some tips on runtimes:
– For established lawns, water for about an hour per session, providing 1 to 1.5 inches of water. Use empty tuna cans to measure sprinkler output over a set time.
– During peak summer, running each zone of your in-ground sprinkler system for 30 to 45 minutes may be adequate. Adjust as needed.
– For spot watering with a hose-end sprinkler, leaving it in one place for 15 to 30 minutes provides sufficient moisture.
– When rehydrating drought stressed grass, water until you observe puddling or runoff, indicating the soil is saturated to a 4 to 6 inch depth.
Factors Impacting Grass Watering Frequency
Although the guidelines provided serve as a general timeline, the ideal watering frequency can vary based on:
Climate – Hot and arid regions need more frequent irrigation than cool and humid climates. Adjust accordingly.
Grass Type – Some varieties like Bermuda grass need more water than fescue grass and ryegrass. Know your grass’s traits.
Soil Type – Sandy soils require more frequent watering than loamy and clay soils which hold moisture better.
Sun Exposure – Turf in full sun dries out sooner than grass in shade. Monitor and water accordingly.
Spacing of Watering Days – Clustering watering days together provides less benefit than spreading them across a week.
Time of Year – Grass plants need more water during peak growing seasons like summer.
Root Depth – Lawns with short roots require more frequent irrigation than lawns with deep roots.
Rainfall – Reduce watering after significant rainfall (over 0.5 inches). Let rainfall provide free irrigation.
| Season | Cool Season Grass Watering Frequency | Warm Season Grass Watering Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Every 5-7 days | Every 2-3 days |
| Spring and Fall | Every 10-14 days | Every 5-7 days |
| Winter | As needed during warm periods, otherwise not necessary | |
Watering Restrictions
Many municipalities impose summertime outdoor watering restrictions to manage high demand. Be sure to follow any regulations in your area, which may limit certain days of the week for watering.
Typical restrictions allow watering 2 to 3 days per week. Develop your grass watering schedule in accordance with the permitted days.
Most restrictions prohibit midday watering due to high evaporation. Water during allowed morning or evening times to maximize efficiency.
Consider letting the lawn go dormant during peak summer if restrictions are severe. Dormancy is a survival mechanism that can keep the grass alive until cooler weather returns.
Watering Methods
Choose a sprinkler system or watering technique that maximizes uniform coverage while minimizing waste:
In-Ground Systems – Automated sprinkler systems allow for precision scheduling and are great for lawn uniformity. Ensure proper maintenance and adjustment.
Oscillating Sprinklers – Cover a large area of grass and mimic rainfall but are less efficient due to wind evaporation loss.
Rotary Sprinklers – Best for small lawns, providing uniform and consistent coverage in circular spray patterns.
Spray Heads – Popular components of underground systems. Use adjustable heads for customizable coverage.
Soaker Hoses – Excellent option for precision targeting of garden beds and borders within lawns. Minimize evaporation loss.
Spot Watering – Hand water dry spots as needed with a nozzle attachment on your hose for supplemental irrigation.
Improving Watering Efficiency
Several strategies can help conserve water and enhance lawn irrigation efficiency:
– Water early in the morning when evaporative losses are lowest.
– Follow local watering day schedules and restrictions during peak demand.
– Use smart controllers or moisture sensor systems to match watering to actual lawn needs.
– Adjust sprinklers for optimal coverage, avoiding runoff onto pavement.
– Inspect your system periodically for clogged and broken heads.
– Let grass grow slightly taller in summer to promote deeper roots and retention of soil moisture.
– Aerate compacted soils in spring and fall so water infiltrates better.
– Periodically perform a water audit to ensure proper system function and scheduling.
Signs Your Grass Needs More Water
Monitor your lawn for visual cues that indicate a need for additional irrigation:
– Wilting or folding of grass blades
– Grass taking on a grayish or blueish cast
– Blotchy patches of grass drying out
– Footprints persisting on the lawn after walking
– Lawn needs mowing less frequently due to slowed growth
– Soil appears excessively dry when checked several inches down
Promptly addressing irrigation shortfalls at first signs of drought stress can prevent more lasting damage.
Signs Your Grass Is Overwatered
Excessive irrigation can also damage lawns. Be on the lookout for these issues:
– Frequent puddling several hours after watering
– Mushy, squishy sections of turf
– Footprints easily sinking into overly wet sod
– Grass developing yellowish color
– Strong olefactory odor from the lawn
– Excess thatch buildup over time
– Fungal diseases like brown patch and dollar spot
Reduce watering duration and frequency if these indicators arise. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between watering sessions.
Best Grass Species for Low Water Use
To minimize irrigation demands, choose grass types genetically adapted to thrive on less water:
– Buffalograss – Extremely drought tolerant warm season grass.
– Bermudagrass – Low water use and fast recovery. Goes dormant after drought.
– Fine Fescue – The deepest rooted cool season grass, requires half of typical water use.
– Zoysia Grass – Low irrigation needs once established. Turns brown in drought but recovers quickly.
– Kentucky Bluegrass – Moderate water needs but can withstand prolonged dry periods.
– Perennial Ryegrass – Hardier in low water versus frequent irrigation. Better cold tolerance than bermuda and zoysia.
Cultural Practices to Reduce Watering Needs
Several lawn care practices beyond watering techniques can lower irrigation requirements:
– Mow at 3 or 4 inch height to encourage deep roots.
– Minimize thatch through aeration to combat water resistance.
– Improve drainage of clay soils if puddling occurs.
– Apply quality compost to boost moisture retention.
– Reduce fertilizer which spurs excessive growth needing more water.
– Overseed thin areas to thicken turfstand and reduce evaporation loss.
– Reduce competition from weeds and trees with removal/herbicides.
Indicating Need for Irrigation System Improvements
Occasionally evaluate your sprinkler system for signs of age or needed adjustments:
– Large dry spots indicating poor head coverage.
– Leaks evident after watering is finished.
– Heads watering sidewalks due to misaligned spray.
– Grass growing faster around heads due to more water.
– Heads sinking lower than grass due to settling.
– Water flowing onto street indicating excessive runtimes.
– Pressure differences causing uneven sprinkler output.
– Observe system in operation monthly for other issues.
Smart Irrigation Technology
Modern irrigation controllers allow automation and customization of watering schedules for peak efficiency:
– Wi-Fi Enabled Controllers – Remote adjustment from smartphone, integrates weather data.
– Flow Meters – Measures system output to avoid overwatering.
– Soil Moisture Sensors – Probe feedback prevents unnecessary watering.
– Rain Sensors – Shutoff system after rainfall events.
– ET Controllers – Customizes schedule daily based on evapotranspiration rates.
Conclusion
Proper lawn irrigation is crucial for growing healthy grass while conserving water. The ideal watering frequency depends on grass type, climate, soil factors, and time of year. Aim to water deep and infrequently to encourage deep rooting. Monitor your lawn for signs of under or overwatering, and consider new technology that can optimize and automate your watering schedule. Adjusting practices based on weather patterns and the needs of your individual lawn will ensure your grass gets the watering it requires without waste.
