Landscape Care Tips: Watering
A good watering program is essential to the health and appearance of your lawn. Because water makes up at least 90% of a grass plant, it is its most vital requirement next to air and fertilizer. Many variables come into play, such as soil type, thatch buildup, climatic conditions, grass type, and cultural practices. To be effective, your program must take all of these into account. The information in this technical bulletin will help you make better judgments and observations regarding your lawn's watering needs.
How often should I water my lawn?
A lawn should be watered at the point when the soil just begins to dry out. The amount of time this takes is dependent on the factors outlined above in the watering section. Because there are so many variables, it is impossible to make generalizations regarding watering intervals. However, research has proven that short but frequent watering periods often produce weak, shallow-rooted turf. Conversely, long or heavy waterings given less frequently will produce a deeply rooted turf that will be much more resistant to summer heat. In addition, long deep waterings may reduce your water bills due to the fact that more of the water is being stored in the soil rather than just evaporating.
Irrigation equipment
A properly installed sprinkler system is the most efficient means of watering. However, a portable sprinkler will work well if used properly. When selecting a portable sprinkler, the most important considerations are uniform water distribution and volume of water dispersed. A model that covers a large areas uniformly (such as a pulsating arm) is preferable. When positioning a portable sprinkler, be sure to allow for a 50% overlap to assure even coverage.
When should I water?
The soil should be moist to a depth of six to eight inches. This requires approximately two inches of water over the surface of your lawn each week. During hot, dry weather, the average lawn will use at least this much water in about a week. To figure out whether you are watering enough, use a rain gauge or a shallow bowl. To determine whether your lawn needs water, push a screwdriver down six inches into the soil. If the screwdriver slides down easily, adequate moisture is present. If not, it is probably time to water. The best time to water is before sunrise when the air is cool and moist.
Soil types and characteristics
- Sandy soils allow water to penetrate very quickly, but very little water is retained. This soil type requires frequent, heavy watering.
- Loam soils accept and retain water very well. Deep infrequent waterings should be adequate.
- Clay soils retain water for a long time but accept it very slowly. Watering clay soils can be difficult, often requiring short watering intervals (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) for several hours. This allows the water to be absorbed rather than running off.
- Dry patches during the summer During the summer, brown, dry patches may appear in your lawn. These may be caused by thatch or soil compaction. The best way to reduce these problems is to hand-water with an oscillating sprinkler or a soaker hose coiled in the problem areas. These watering methods will concentrate the water where it is needed and reduce run-off. In addition, aeration can reduce these problems.
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