(SBA) - One of the core components of lawn care is proper watering. When done right, it can promote deep root growth, prevent disease and keep your grass lush and green. So, how long should you water your grass? Let’s dive into the details to help you find the perfect watering routine for your lawn.
Finding the Right Balance in Lawn Watering
Watering your lawn correctly is key to its health and appearance. Too much water can lead to shallow roots and disease outbreaks, while too little can cause your grass to dry out and turn brown. Finding the right balance is essential to its overall health. Spray and granule options often use smells that dogs find offensive but are harmless, perfect for perimeter use or spot treatments.
The answer to this common question depends on several factors, including your type of sprinkler system, the rate at which it delivers water, and your lawn's specific needs. Ultimately, most lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall, which is usually estimated to be about 1–2 hours of watering per week, depending on your system.
By understanding these elements, you can tailor your watering schedule to suit your lawn perfectly.
The type of irrigation system, the water delivery rate, soil type and local weather conditions all affect how long you should water your grass.
Spray Sprinklers
Spray sprinklers are a common choice for many homeowners because they can evenly distribute water over a set area.
Rotor or MP Rotor Heads
Rotor sprinklers and MP rotor heads are ideal for larger areas and provide a more controlled watering.
Drip Irrigation Systems
Drip irrigation systems are highly efficient, delivering water directly to the soil and minimizing evaporation.
Determining Water Duration
Importance of Knowing Your System’s Water Delivery Rate
Understanding your system's water delivery rate helps with setting the correct watering duration. This ensures your lawn receives enough moisture without overwatering and even saves on water bills.
Methods to Measure Water Delivery Rate
Catch Cup Test: Place several catch cups around your lawn, run the sprinklers for a set period, and measure the collected water to calculate the delivery rate.
Manufacturer Specifications: Check the specifications provided by the manufacturer for your sprinklers or drip system to find the delivery rate.
Your lawn’s water needs change with the weather. During hot, dry spells, it's better to water more deeply and less frequently to encourage deeper root growth, rather than watering more frequently and less deeply.
Conversely, during cooler, wet periods, you can reduce the overall amount of water.
Slopes and different soil types (sandy, loamy, clay) affect water absorption. Sloped areas might need shorter, more frequent watering to prevent runoff, while clay soils require slower, deeper watering to avoid waterlogging.
Regularly check your lawn for signs of overwatering (soggy soil, fungal growth) and underwatering (dry, brown patches). Adjust your watering schedule based on these observations to maintain a healthy lawn.
Generally, most lawns need about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. This typically means running your irrigation system for about 1–2 hours per week, depending on its type and delivery rate.
For example, spray sprinklers should run for about 2 hours weekly, ideally split into three 20-minute sessions, while rotor sprinklers may need 1 hour weekly, divided into two 30-minute sessions. It's best to water more deeply and less frequently, especially during hot, dry spells, to encourage deeper root growth.
Want to learn more about achieving a great lawn? Check out more Sod University tips here and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
This article was written by Sod Solutions Content Strategist, Valerie Smith. To view this article on Sod Solutions website, click here. Sod Solutions is celebrating 30 years of successfully developing and releasing turfgrasses with over 20 market-leading varieties like Palmetto® St. Augustine, Celebration® Bermudagrass, EMPIRE® Zoysia and more. Based in Charleston, SC, Sod Solutions is your go-to expert resource for lawn and garden content. For media inquiries and visual materials, reach out to Cecilia Johnson at cecilia@sodsolutions.com.
