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Every lawn is different and the watering requirements will depend on a variety of factors. In the hot summer months, when the weather is dry and windy, a high quality ryegras or bluegrass will need about 2 1/4 inches of water weekly, less if the weather is cooler. A fescue lawn will need a lot less watering if it has a deep root system. Blue grama grass and buffalograss will say looking green for weeks in the hottest summer months before it needs watering.
For lawns in protected areas or in the shade less watering will be needed. However if there are larger, mature shrubs or trees in the area they will compete with they will compete with the grass so more watering may be requires. A lawn that is healthy and has been carefully fertilised and mowed will be able to use water much more efficiently than a neglected lawn.
How Do I Apply the Water?
Before you water use a soil probe, stick or shovel to find out the depth of the roots. This is the depth you need water to penetrate to so as to completely moisten all of the roots. On a clay soil one to one and a half inches of water is needed for roots that penetrate to six inches. On a sandy soil much less is needed. The first time you water use a soil probe at regular intervals to find out how long it takes to reach this depth and time subsequent waterings accordingly. Watering too much is wasteful and easy to do on sandy soils.
How Often Should I Water My Lawn
Lawns growing on sandy soil will need watering much more often than those growing on clay soils. Clay soils can hold much more water than sandy soils and need less frequent watering and you can use a lot less water each time. Less frequent watering is better for your lawn as it discouraged weed growth and loss from evaporation is much less.
Apply water slowly rather than soaking in a few minutes. Water applied quickly is likely to run off the top rather than soaking in properly especially on clay soils or lawns that are heavily thatched. Using a sprinkler and moving at regular intervals is a better way to water than soaking quickly with a hose pipe. Aerating the lawn can help with water penetration and reduce run off as well as reduce thatch.
How Will I Know When to Water?
A wilted appearance, often with a bluish purple or grey color is an indication that watering is needed. Footprints that last for over an hour are also good signs. Some lawn may develop small spots or areas that wilt regularly and you can water just these areas before watering the whole lawn a few days later. These spots can be a good indication that the lawn will soon need watering.
A lawn that has been 'hardened' by deep irrigation and less frequent watering can usually stand up to a short drought more easily. Do not allow the lawn to be too stressed during droughts however as this can lead to an increased susceptibility to diseases and weeds.
In the fall or winter months the lawn may still need watering, but much less frequently than in the summer. Once every four to six weeks should be sufficient as long as the ground is not frozen. Areas that need particular attention are shallow soil areas and exposed west or south facing areas especially if they are sloped.
What Time of Day Should I Water?
The best time to water the lawn is late evening or early morning when the humidity is highest and it is cooler and less windy. At this time evaporation will be less so it is a more efficient use of water. There is an incorrect belief that watering in the evening encourages diseases!
Check out any local laws that may prohibit use of a hose pipe or sprinkler at certain times of day especially if there is a drought in the area.
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