When to Water the Lawn. If you find your lawn has taken on a grayish cast or appears to be dull green, it's telling you that it needs water. You can also check your lawn by walking on it: If your footprints don't disappear quickly, it's because the grass blades don't have the needed moisture to spring back.
If you have a newly planted lawn or are in the middle of a long drought, you might want to supplement rainfall. You will know it's time to water when the lawn fades to a dull green and your footprints remain visible in the grass. Read on to learn when to water your lawn and how to do it properly.
It's Noticeably Wilting
One of the earliest and most obvious signs of dehydration in grass is wilting, when blades begin to curl over instead of standing up straight. If you don't take action right away, you will soon see the grass start to change color (which we discuss in more detail below).
Wilting Grass
But overwatering can cause similar symptoms. Keep an eye out for signs of overwatering such as leaves and lawns that appear dull and faded, in addition to grass that does not spring back into shape after being pressed down.
You might think that watering a little bit every day is a smart approach, but you'd be wrong. It's better to water “deeply and infrequently,” Cutler says. About a third of an inch every two to three days is a good goal.
Uniformly applying water helps the soil absorb the water at its own pace. Watering every day is not advised. It should be done 2 to 3 times per week only to prevent a shallow root system. If possible, water during the early morning hours to ensure that the lawn dries entirely before nightfall.
If you notice brown or yellow patches throughout your lawn, this is a good indication that the grass isn't getting enough water.
Many grasses can stay in dormancy for 3-4 weeks without beginning to deteriorate to the point of plant death. When the prolonged period without rain ends, the turf is able to regenerate from rhizomes and stolons.
Make sure your lawn gets at least 1 inch of water per week. Water early in the day to allow more water to reach the root zone and to reduce evaporation and fungal growth.
Water in the early morning – between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Midday watering leads to wasteful evaporation, while nighttime watering causes droplets to cling to grass overnight, increasing the chance of lawn diseases.
If your lawn looks yellow, brown, or pale green when it should be a lush, deep green colour, then there's a good chance it's getting too much water.
Avoid watering grass on a hot afternoon when it's 95 degrees or higher. The best time to water grass is at dawn or in the early evening. Water deeply three times a week instead of a little water daily. Test whether your sprinkler system is watering your lawn evenly.
Yes, your grass can get too much water. If your grass gets too much water, it doesn't get oxygen and can actually suffocate. Too much water also makes your grass more susceptible to disease. Watering Guidelines for New Lawns: New lawns need to be watered every day and sometimes more than once a day to keep soil moist.
However, if lawns don't get 2″ of water weekly for 4 weeks consecutively, permanent damage can occur. Root systems can be damaged to the point where grass blades will not only stay brown, but will be thin or completely dead.
1) Watering for Too Long
This should be no more than three times per week. Set a timer for 20 minutes and stick to your schedule, even if you think the lawn needs more water. You don't want to oversoak it.
Most grass needs watering between 20 to 40 minutes at a time. Water your grass one to three times a week in peak growing seasons. Your grass type, region, and amount of rainfall impact watering times. Watch out for signs of too much or too little watering to avoid disease or dead grass.
You will also see the difference when you start to water or when rain returns as moisture will revive brown grass. However, it will not bring dead grass plants back to life.
Bare or Brown Spots
Brown or bare spots are not a good sign. While they are more obvious, when you see brown spots or bare spots, your lawn is extremely stressed and some damage has already been done. Begin watering regularly.
Follow Watering Schedule
That can make it difficult to know if the grass is still alive. You can get a better idea of what's causing the brown color by following a consistent watering schedule. Watering will help dormant grass become green again, while dead grass will remain brown.
If your grass is turning brown despite watering, it's possible that you may have a problem with disease, caused by microscopic living organisms. These include bacteria, fungi, and nematodes, among others.
Most lawns need to be watered no more than three days a week in the spring as well as in the summer and two days a week in the fall. This watering schedule is recommended under normal water supply conditions.
Sprinklers should be set to run for about 30 to 35 minutes at a time twice a week. Your goal is at least 1″ of water a week for your lawn.