Watering your lawn – How to and when
The best and most convenient times to water are either early in the morning or later in the evening. This reduces water lost through evaporation and aim for periods when the heat of the day is absent.
Infrequent heavy watering is better than daily splashes.
The simplest method to water your lawn is to use a lawn sprinkler – the oscillating type is best as there is little overlap between adjacent areas.
How to determine if under your lawn is wet enough – The best way to determine if the soil is wet enough is to dig or cut a small hole and examine the soil. Properly watered soil will not be soaking wet, but moist, dark and cool. Another way of determining if there is sufficient moisture in the soil is to stick a pointed knife into the soil. If the knife can be easily pushed into the soil and upon removal is cool and clean, your soil is moist.
Is the morning dew enough to water the grass? Wet leaves and heavy dew makes the lawn look wet, but your turf roots may be dry so the sprinkler may still be required!
Other ways to tell it needs watered?
- Brown and yellow patches appearing.
- When you walk on the lawn the grass does not spring back up.
- Little or no growth from week to week
New turf and seed is especially vulnerable to drought or insufficient water.
What are the downsides to not watering?
- Drought-stressed grass can lead to an invasion of moss and weeds
Other preventive measures?
- Aeration – aid water penetration
- Raise the height you are cutting at – Puts less stress on the plant
While you can’t prevent drought, you can take measures to prevent the damage drought causes your lawn.
If you have any more questions, please get in touch.