Having a lawn brings with it a good amount of responsibility. If not taken care of properly, your house could have a bad and messy outlook. Especially in summer, it is essential to have proper watering during hot days.
In this article, we will provide some tried and experimented lawn watering tips that might come in handy.
Many factors contribute to the proper growth of grass. Among them water is one of the most significant ones. However, it is one of the challenging ones too.
During hot weather, it is crucial to maintain a balance between “too much” and “too less”.
Finding this balance is a tricky business and since this balance differs from weather to weather, it simply adds more to the plate.
This article will solely focus on the proper watering of grass during the hot weather. In such times, extra watering is required when the grass is comparatively drier, and the soil tends to absorb more water than usual.
When is the Best Time to Water Grass in Hot Weather?
Practically, the best time to water grass in hot weather is when the temperature is low. This is normally in the early morning, when the sun has started to rise. At such times, you can see dew drops on the grass blades.
Why Early Morning Watering During Hot?
This time is recommended for several reasons. From dawn until midday, evaporation rate tends to be low, as it is cooler in the surroundings.
Evaporation plays a key role here as often water is lost through this process by escaping to the atmosphere from the surface of leaves.
The wind is also calmer during this time. Hence if you water the grass at this time, chances are that there will be very less wastage of water.
As a result, more water remains on the lawn and can get soaked in the soil, giving the grass roots more chance to absorb the water. Typically, the ideal time ranges from sunrise till 8 a.m.
If you can’t water in the morning, then another option is to water your lawn during the late afternoon or evening hours, when the sun is past its peak time.
This is a smart idea as it will be comparatively cooler than midday and give the grass blades enough time to dry off before night comes.
All in all,
- In the morning, the best recommended time is between sunrise to 8 AM.
- The afternoon/evening period can start from 4 to 6 PM.
What to Avoid When Watering the Grass?
#1 Avoid watering your lawn when the sun is rising to give midday. This is the time when the sun is full, and the temperature gets to the maximum level.
In hot weather, watering the grass in this time can prove to be very inefficient as the evaporation rate will be very high. Large amount of water will be evaporated and will not reach the soil.
Moreover, during this time the winds can be strong. Water will not be equally distributed among the entire lawn. Much of the water you spray to your lawn might ultimately get blown into the footpaths or roads.
Worse even, the sun may burn the grass during midday. We know tiny droplets of water can behave like tiny glasses. The light becomes focused on the grass blades and the heat becomes magnified. As a result, the grass has a burning effect and turns yellow.
#2 If you water the lawn at night, chances are that the grass will remain damp, as it will not dry out. This can cause problems like giving rise to many fungal and bacterial diseases. These thrive abundantly in wet grass and will cost you a lot to remove.
#3 Never overwater your lawn. This can result in dampening and cause severe problems like compaction of soil and root rot which is very detrimental to the health of the grass.
#4 Don’t under-water the lawn. Failure to receive enough water will cause drought and the lawn can have spot patches of dead yellow grass blades.
#5 Refrain from applying excess nitrogen related chemicals in hot weather and don’t use pesticides on drought stressed lawns. These damage the roots heavily when the grass is dry.
#6 Keep track of rainfall predictions. It is unwise to water the lawn if rain is expected soon.
Learn more in details The Worst Time to Water Grass
Lawn Grass Watering Tips & Tricks
- Keep the habit of watering the grass at least 3 times per week. Make sure the entire lawn is covered.
- Dry lawn is a heaven for weeds. They spread quickly in dry turf. So, make sure you keep the grass well hydrated and healthy.
- Another one of lawn watering tips is to thoroughly water it. Try to water it 1-inch-deep every time. It is often recommended to keep a can or a cup to measure the water level. Remember that a big drink of water is better and more economical than a series of sips.
- If your lawn receives uneven sunlight, it is wise to give more attention to the areas which get most of it.
- Do not cut the grass too often. Try to keep it one-third of the length of the grass. Taller grass protects the bottom part from burning due to the hot weather.
- Make sure you flush the lawn with fresh water. Fertilizers have the side-effect of leaving salt in the soil. An excess built of salt in the soil can make the roots burn and may prevent them from absorbing water.
- When mowing the grass, keep the range to a higher setting from where you normally cut at than the normal height. This will create a thicker canopy of leaves and will act a shade for the soil. Also let your grass cuttings remain on the lawn. These will shade the soil, keeping it cool.
- Keep a practice of fertilizing the lawn 3 to 4 times every year. This gives the grass strong and healthy roots.
- After fertilizing the grass, do not water the lawn soon heavily. Water the grass lightly so that the fertilizers can be absorbed by the soil. Also, hold off fertilizing if you expect heavy rains soon.
- Cut off weeds regularly. They soak up more water than grasses, causing water wastage.
Signs That the Lawn Grass Needs to Be Watered
There are some symptoms which give you the indication that it is high time you need to water the grass. Common observations are that the grass will have a dull green or bluish-grey color instead of the usual vibrant green. This shows that the grass is dehydrated.
Also, there is a term called “Footprint Test”. Try walking in one direction across the lawn. Upon looking back if you see your footprints that don’t disappear quickly then that means the grass is stressed and needs moisture.
Amount of Water
The amount of water to provide will vary from lawn to lawn. This depends on the amount of shade and type of soil that you are using.
If your lawn is shaded, then you probably will not require much watering each time. This is because the grass will be able to keep the moisture.
The same rule applies if you use clay as soil. It can hold in water longer.
But if you are using porous or sandy soil you will need more water. These drain very quickly.
The place you live will also determine how much water should be given. Not everywhere rainfall is the same, and drought and humidity levels are important factors to be noted. Grass requires more water in drought and low humidity regions.
Best Way to Water Your Lawn’s Grass?
There are many ways in which you can water your lawn grass. Ranging from pulsating sprinklers to smart watering systems there are plenty of options in the market.
We would personally recommend a sprinkler that saves water wastage and is child friendly at the same time. “Kadaon Lawn Sprinkler” offered by Amazon provides such features.
It is a durable sprinkler that can easily be adjusted for water density and range. Also, it sprays directly at 45 degrees angle to water the lawn. Giving you the best value for money, it is the ideal one out there.
Read Also: Best Types of Sprinklers for Lawns
Final Words
To sum it up, we would say that everyone loves a green and fresh lawn. You can just sit and enjoy the summer, forgetting the life troubles. So, it is important that you know the proper watering techniques during the hot season, as these are a must for an ecology friendly lawn.
Remember, early morning is the best time to water grass in hot weather. If for some reason you are unable to water in the early morning, try to water in the evening hours when the temperature drops down.
You May Need to Know: Watering Grass in Winter
We hope the lawn watering tips provided here will benefit you and will give your entire house a charming and soothing elegance.
Happy watering!
