Watering Your Lawn (5869)

In the last few years, water restrictions have become a reality in many of our cities. But there is another reason to think twice about watering your lawn. Most lawns in our area are planted with cool-season grasses. These cool-season grasses go semi-dormant when the weather turns hot and dry, reducing their need for water. By watering them during this time, it forces them to keep growing when they would normally be shutting down.
In general, water established lawns as infrequently as possible. Water thoroughly so moisture penetrates as deep as the roots (ideally 4-6 inches), but don't let it run off. Make sure your sprinkler is adjusted properly to give an even distribution. Too much water in one area can cause surface runoff. Use 1 inch of water per week as a guideline. This includes natural rainfall. You can use a coffee can or cat food can to measure how much water you are actually putting on. Adjust your sprinkler so that no water puddles or runs off.
Frequent, shallow watering encourages shallow rooting, and that sets the turf up for trouble when conditions are hot and dry. Deeper roots allow the grass to retrieve water and nutrients from further down in the soil, so if the surface dries up the turf is not immediately affected.
Avoid watering during the heat of the day when you will lose most of the water to evaporation. The best time to water, whether it is your lawn, vegetable garden, or rose bush, is early morning before you've had your first cup of coffee, when temperatures are cooler and the sun has all day to dry the moisture on the plants.
The one exception is that newly established lawns must be kept moist to allow the turf grass seeds to germinate and the seedlings to become established. For new seedlings, water often (twice a day or more) to wet just the top half-inch or soil or so. Frequent, light watering helps the seed germinate quickly. As the new grass grows, you can reduce the frequency to once a day and water more deeply to encourage roots to grow downward.
Brown lawns during the dog days of summer are actually healthy#our cool season turf goes dormant during heat and drought as a survival mechanism. You don't need to water, and your lawn will revive in the fall. If you do water your lawn during the summer, water correctly to conserve water and maintain healthy grass. Water as infrequently as possible. Your lawn will tell you when it needs water by turning a blackish green color and not springing up when you walk across it. Water it then, and wait until you see those same signs before re-watering.

Remember, your lawn will survive without extra water, but if you do water, do it wisely.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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