The ideal watering schedule is once or twice per week, for about 25 to 30 minutes each time. Taking care of a lawn doesn't have to be an overwhelming, all-consuming task. Once all the tips and tricks are in your back pocket, it will be easy to come up with a routine that results in a gorgeous green lawn.
Your goal is for the lawn to receive enough water to keep the soil slightly moist in the upper six inches of soil. This usually requires at least one inch of water per watering session or around 30 minutes of watering, however, each lawn is different.
For example, rotor sprinkler heads might require 20 to 30 minutes of straight watering time, while a traditional spray head zone will only need 5 to 10 minutes.
Knowing how often to water the grass and how long to do it each time is important for several reasons. A typical lawn needs about an inch of water per week, equating to two 30-minute watering sessions. Too much or too little water can produce a mediocre appearance with dead or dried patches.
A typical sprinkler system with pop-up rotary heads uses approximately 15 to 16 gallons of water per minute per station. An Irrigreen smart sprinkler system uses approximately 6 gallons per minute per head when spraying about 30 feet.
It is ideal to water lawns about one inch of water per week. To determine how long you need to water to get one inch, place a plastic container in your yard and set a timer. On average, it will take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water. So, 20 minutes, three times per week will give a lawn about an inch of water.
Estimates vary. The folks at Water Footprint Calculator say the average at-home water use is 60 gallons per person daily. However, the US Geological Survey puts the average at 80-100 gallons per person. The wide range depends significantly on the habits of the individuals in your home.
Always watering at only one root point leads to one-sided root growth and thereby to poorer nutrient absorption in the soil. Therefore, always water around the plant and distribute in the entire irrigation area.
Water in the early morning (4am to 10am). This allows the grass blades to dry, making them less susceptible to foliar diseases. Watering is more efficient in morning due to less evaporation and wind speed. Change the time that your system runs monthly, or at least seasonally.
A fixed spray head nozzle might take ~30 minutes to apply 1 inch of water, whereas a rotary nozzle could take 3x as long to apply the same amount. But this still depends on numerous variables such as local water pressure, age of the sprinkler system, condition of the system, etc.
Lawn Watering Practices
Frequent watering encourages shallow root growth and unhealthy grass. Deep, less frequent watering encourages grass roots to grow deeper into the soil reservoir from which to draw moisture. Deep roots also mean the lawn will be less affected by surface drying.
Watering in the morning also helps your lawn stay cooler throughout the hottest parts of the day, decreasing the amount of heat stress for the turf. If you are unable to water in the mornings, early evening (between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM) is the next best time.
In the late spring, rotor irrigation zones typically need to run 30-45 minutes per zone, and spray irrigation zones typically need to run 8-12 minutes. We recommend watering 2-3 days a week during late spring. In mid to late summer with extreme heat, your lawn will need more water.
Therefore, an “inch of water” is 0.62 gallons per square foot of garden area. Unless you use a gallon jug to water a square foot garden, this number may still leave you wondering how to obtain that inch of water or 0.62 gallons per square foot.
The Screwdriver Test for Soil Moisture
Take a screwdriver (or soil probe or shovel), stick it 3–4 inches into the ground, and wiggle it around. Then reach into the hole and feel for any moisture. If your hand comes up dry, you should water your lawn.
3 seconds without hope (survival mindset) 3 minutes without breathing (asphyxiation, severe blood loss) 3 hours without shelter in an extreme environment (exposure) 3 days without water (dehydration)
On average, the sweet spot for watering your lawn is between 25 to 30 minutes each session. However, achieving that deep, healthy green isn't just a matter of setting a timer and walking away — it's a delicate balance that depends on a few factors, which we'll dive into in this article.
On average total body water in a person is about 60% of their body weight. From the total body water, 2/3 of that, or 40% of body weight is intracellular fluid. The other 1/3 or 20% of body weight is extracellular fluid. This is also known as the 60-40-20 rule.
Overwatering means yellowing leaves, a general feeling of flop (science calls it wilting!), fuzzy soil, and a pot that feels like it could double as a weight. Underwatering shows itself with crispy leaves, that same sad droop, and bone-dry soil.
Leaves Turning Bright Yellow or Mushy Stems
This is usually a sign of overwatering, either caused by watering your plant before it's ready or if your plant is in too low of light. When plants sit in waterlogged soil, their roots can't get enough oxygen, leading to root damage which manifests as yellow leaves.
Signs of Overwatered Grass
Spongy soil. If you step on your lawn and it feels spongy or squishy then there is likely too much water. A spongy feeling can also indicate a layer of thatch that is too thick. Thatch is dead, organic grass matter that sits on the top layer of soil.
On average, approximately 70 percent of that water is used indoors, with the bathroom being the largest consumer (a toilet alone can use 27 percent!).
If a standard showerhead is fitted, it will use around an extra half a gallon each minute, accounting for a 25-gallon emittance every 10 minutes, or 50 gallons throughout a 20-minute shower. *1 gallon = 4.54 litres.