Lawn Watering Tips and Techniques

Keep an eye on the condition of your lawn to know when to use irrigation products . Irrigation is a method for watering plants and often involves long, narrow delivery channels.

You may need to water if you see wilted, curled or folded grass blades. A color change from vibrant green to dull bluish green may also mean a thirsty lawn. Another sign is when it takes more than a moment for your grass to bounce back when you step on it.

Properly prepping your lawn will help it hold onto water better. Use a rake to lift away dead grass and other debris early in the season to remove thatch. Thatch is a mix of materials that builds up around the base of the grass.

Aerate in spring, mid-summer or early fall. Aerating means adding air to the lawn to help it grow. For aeration, look for combo spreaders and aerators that tow behind your ride-on mower or push-style power aerators that you can rent.

Improve the soil in spring with fertilizers that add valuable nutrients. Spread a 1-inch layer of compost on the lawn and work it into the root area with a rake. Water regularly to help maintain moisture levels while improving the soil.

• Create a schedule so that you water regularly and at the right time. Begin watering in time for the growing season after the soil has partially dried.
• Water either in the evening or early morning to minimize water loss to evaporation.
• If your lawn frequently becomes home to fungus, water in the early morning so extra moisture can evaporate.
• Give newly seeded and over-seeded lawns water daily until they get established. After that, water as needed.

Soaker hoses allow water to penetrate slowly to encourage deeper roots, while sprinkler systems allow you to adjust the amount of water distributed you’re your lawn at specified times.

Sprinkler tips:

• Above-ground sprinklers cover large lawns effectively.
• Make adjustments so that the water falls only on your lawn or garden and is not wasted on sidewalks, roads or buildings.
• Adjust the pressure so water can slowly penetrate the soil without puddling or running off.
• Avoid watering plants such as roses, raspberries and beans that are susceptible to diseases from too much water on their greenery.

Rainfall counts as watering. Lawns generally need about an inch of water each week to help roots go further into the ground and resist dry spells.

• Use a rain gauge to keep track of rainfall so you know how much water your lawn needs.
• A hose timer can count watering time for you to make tracking easier.
• After 30 to 60 minutes of watering, check the depth of penetration in the soil at different places in the irrigation pattern.
• Move or adjust the sprinklers to achieve uniform coverage.