How should I water my lawn?
Irrigation is a supplement to Mother Nature -- adequate rainfall is what really keeps your landscape looking its best. Soil type, grass type, sun exposure, slope, weather conditions, all play a role in how much, or how little, you need to run your irrigation. The following are a few general guidelines to consider when watering your landscape.
Water Early … While the air is still cool. This will allow water to go down toward roots instead of evaporating. Try to have your last zone of irrigation finishing up as the sun is coming up.
Avoid Watering at Night … Grass that stays wet all night often falls victim to disease. Water will tend to set on top of the ground longer at night. Standing water could produce fungus in your lawn.
Deep Roots … To encourage deep root development. Infrequent, deep watering will produce a healthy lawn that can withstand the summer elements. This could mean zone times of 20 to 50 minutes in some cases. Soil absorption and the type of irrigation head will determine the correct zone time.
Seasonally irrigation times and zones will need to look different:
The intense heat from the long growing season here in the South can take a toll on the landscape. In the Fall, it is time to change the way you water your lawn as cooler weather arrives. With shorter days and cooler weather, your grass begins to slow down and with less heat and sunshine, evaporation rates are much lower. This means that your lawn needs less water than it does in the summer.
Even in cooler weather, your landscape needs moisture to protect the roots. On warmer fall days and during periods of drier weather, continue to water your lawn 2-3 days per week until the first frost occurs.
If your established lawn receives 1/2” - 1” of rainfall per week, you do not need to supplement with irrigation water. This can often be the case in the Fall if we have a tropical system moving through our area.
In heavy clay soils with poor drainage, consider reducing the run times and run frequency on all your zones. In sandy, well-drained soils, maintain runtimes similar to the summer season but water only 2-3 days per week.
For a list of our general guidelines for watering schedules, click here!
Note: New landscapes, including newly sodded lawns, have water requirements different from those of established lawns.