How Often Should I Water my Lawn?

Whether you are a first-time homeowner or have lived in your home for decades, you may have questions about lawn care. You should give your dog or cat water every day, but what about your lawn? Does it require watering on a daily basis?

Most likely, no. Even in the summer, you probably do not need to water your lawn every day. Even if you are under the impression that more water is better, it is really not.

Overwatering your lawn is worse than underwatering because it will cause more damage. An overwatered lawn will not only kill off your lawn but can also ruin the soil.  Conversely, an under-watered lawn will struggle and die.

Therefore, you need to find a happy medium. The typical lawn needs one inch of water per week, which is equal to two 30-minute watering sessions. This may seem easy enough, but there are several factors to consider when deciding how often to water your lawn. Here is what you need to know.

Soil Conditions

Soil conditions can affect the amount of water your lawn needs. Here is what to consider:

• Loamy soil. This is the best soil to have. Loam is the ideal balance for achieving proper drainage.
• Sandy soil. If the composition of your soil is too sandy, water will run right through it. One inch of water per week will not be enough to keep it adequately irrigated.
• Clay soil. On the opposite end of the spectrum is clay soil, which tends to retain too much water. Grass roots do not like to sit in water constantly, so this can lead to diseases.

When to Water

Early morning is the best time to water. This is because there is less evaporation, which gives the water a chance to seep down into the roots. Plus, the grass blades will have the entire day to dry out before nightfall. You do not want the grass to stay wet too long, as this can cause fungal diseases to develop.

Do not water your lawn if it is currently raining or it has just rained. That is too much water at once for your lawn to tolerate. This means that you probably should not keep the same watering schedule year-round. In the winter, there is more rainfall, so you should not have to supply as much water.

Type of Grass

Watering schedules will also depend on the type of grass. A cool season grass, such as Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass, needs to be watered most when the weather is warmer. It may need watering as much as three times a week.

Most warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass, zoysia, and carpet grass, love the heat and do not need to be watered as much. Once or twice a week is usually sufficient. They should be watered in the early morning.

Contact All Star Landscaping for Lawn Care & Maintenance Today

Watering your lawn should not be a science. However, watering your lawn too much or not enough can cause a lot of damage that can be hard to undo.

Contact All Star Landscaping for help with your lawn care and maintenance needs. We have more than three decades of experience in lawn care. Learn more about the various services we offer our clients in St. Louis County. Call (314) 568-6332 or fill out the online form to get a quote.