Summertime is a great time to be a gardener. The weather is warm and there’s plenty of sunlight for plants to soak up.
But one question that often comes up during the summer is how often should you water your lawn?
There is no definitive answer as to how often you should water your lawn in the summer. The amount of water your lawn needs will vary depending on the type of grass, the weather, and the soil conditions. However, a good rule of thumb is to water your lawn once or twice a week.
If it hasn’t rained in a while and your lawn is starting to look dry, go ahead and water it.
If the weather is hot and sunny, you may need to water your lawn more often.
Pay attention to how your lawn looks and feels, and adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
Newly sown lawns
For a newly sown lawn to grow successfully you will need to water it at least once per day and to provide enough water to soak into the top inch of soil.
You will need to continue to water daily for the first 6 to 8 weeks to give the grass sufficient time to establish.
Note that if the weather is sunny and hot then you may need to increase the watering schedule.
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Established lawns 6 months and older
The only time that you will need to water an established lawn is during times of drought when there has been no rainfall for several days and when the weather is consistently above 70 degrees.
During these times an established lawn can be watered 2 to 3 times per week.
Should I water my lawn when it is sunny?
The best time to water grass is in the early morning or early evening, when the temperature is still warm but when the sun is less intense.
If you water at the height of the day then you run the risk of burning and damaging the grass through the magnification of the sun via the water droplets that settle on the grass blades.
Should I use a sprinkler on my lawn?
The most efficient way to water a lawn is with a sprinkler. When you use a sprinkler, the water is released in a fine mist that covers the entire lawn.
This allows the water to soak into the soil and to reach the roots of the grass, which is where it is needed most.
When using a sprinkler it is important to move it around the lawn to ensure that all of the grass has been watered properly.
Aim to leave your sprinkler in each position for 35 to 40 minutes to ensure that the water soaks down to the grass roots.
Can I use a hose to water my lawn?
Hosing down your lawn is not an efficient way to water it.
When you use a hose, the water is released in a stream that hits only a small area of the lawn.
This means that a lot of the water is wasted, as it runs off the lawn into the flowerbeds.
In addition, when you use a hose to water your lawn you are likely to damage the grass with the high pressure of the water.
How can I tell if my lawn needs watering?
The best way to tell if your lawn needs watering is to look at it.
If the grass is starting to look dry and the soil feels hard, then it needs water.
Another way to tell if your lawn needs watering is to perform a soil test.
Take a handful of soil and squeeze it in your hand. If the soil doesn’t form a ball then it is in need of water.
If the soil does form a ball, then it has enough water and doesn’t need watering at this time.
How can I tell if I am overwatering my lawn?
The best way to tell if you are overwatering your lawn is to look at it.
If the grass is starting to look wet and the soil is soft, then you are overwatering it.
Can I water my lawn at night?
It is not advisable to water your lawn at night, as this can cause the grass to become wet and muddy.
In addition, when the ground is wet it becomes more susceptible to frost damage and frost can occur even if the days are hot.
Final words
In normal weather conditions a mature and healthy lawn should not need much water.
However newly planted lawns such as those sown from seed or fresh turf will need regular and daily watering to give them the best start and chances of healthy growth.
In times of persistent hot and dry weather you should water your lawn regularly and the best way to do this is via a lawn sprinkler that will distribute a spray of water equally across the grassed area.
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