When and how should I water my lawn?
Watering your lawn at appropriate intervals, for the right amount of time, and in the most efficient way can sound like a daunting task. We’re here to help you see the benefits and trouble shoot some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to ideal irrigation layouts.
First and foremost, why is it important to properly irrigate my lawn? Some positive effects of regular and responsible lawn irrigation include:
Maintaining a Healthy Lawn: regular watering helps keep lawns healthy by preventing dehydration and promoting lush, green growth. Adequate moisture supports the overall well-being of grass and other plants in the lawn.
Enhancing Aesthetics: well-maintained lawns contribute to the overall beauty of residential and commercial properties. Regular irrigation can help achieve a vibrant and visually appealing landscape.
Property Value: properly irrigated lawns with enhanced aesthetics can add to the property value. A lush and well cared for lawn is often seen as an attractive feature, enhancing the curb appeal of the property.
Environmental Benefits: modern irrigation systems, such as the drip irrigation or smart/timed irrigation controllers can be designed to minimize water wastage.
Supporting the Ecosystem: lawns, when properly irrigated, can provide a habitat for various insects and birds that contribute to the biodiversity in the local ecosystem.
Recreation and Leisure: well-maintained lawns create comfortable and enjoyable space for recreational activities, picnics, and social gatherings.
Whether you’re hoping to host a graduation party this spring or a “beverage” olympics party over the 4th of July - setting up your irrigation system early in the spring can make sure all of your guests can be barefoot and fancy free!
How often should I water my lawn?
Ahhh the answer to this and so many questions in life comes with the unfortunate, subjective answer of “it depends”. Here are some things you need to take into consideration:
Grass Type: on average, lawns need about 1” to 1.5” of water per week. Depending on what you chose for your over-seeding last fall, you may have cool or warm season grasses. Cool-season grasses require more frequent watering, while warm-season grasses are often more draught tolerant.
Soil Type: sandy soil drains quickly and may need more frequent watering, while the clay soil we have in Lincoln retains moisture slightly better. (So, if you have a warm-season grass in a clay soil region, you’ll want to water less frequently.) Check the soil moisture regularly, either using a soil moisture meter or, you can simply dig a small hole to assess the moisture level. The water should be as deep as, or 1/2 inch deeper than, the roots. Roots are more shallow in the spring and deeper in the late summer and fall.
Climate: hot and dry climates generally require more frequent watering, while cooler and more humid climates may need less frequent irrigation. The climate in Nebraska is so beautifully unpredictable, but typically April through June you can get by with less frequent watering, but by July and into August or September, you may need to consider increasing the frequency with which you water.
Time of Day: watering in the early morning is ideal to minimize water loss due to evaporation. avoid watering during the hottest part of the day. We set our sprinklers to run at around between 4 and 10 am, so that the water has plenty of time to absorb, but not so long as to increase their susceptibility to diseases. Be sure to watch the forecast though, to prevent unnecessary watering before or after a heavy rain.
Water Deeply but Infrequently: Encourage deep root growth by watering deeply but less frequently. This helps the grass develop a stronger root system. On days that temperatures reach above 90 degrees, it’s beneficial to spritz your lawn: run each of your zones for 5-10 minutes to reduce to risk of your lawn developing “summer patch disease.”
Seasonal Adjustments: As mentioned earlier, it’s beneficial to adjust your irrigation schedule based on the season. Lawns often need less water during the cooler months, and more during the hot ones. Adjust based off the recent rainfall amounts as well.
Don’t forget to comply with any local water restrictions or guidelines that may be in place. Check with your HOA to see if there are set periods for sprinkler systems to run as well.
At JB’s Landscapes & Lawn Care, we are all about understanding your irrigation needs without under or over estimating the amount of water used to irrigate. We will review your conditions, lay out your sprinkler systems, and establish an appropriate programming to ensure that you have a properly and optimally irrigated lawn!