Regardless of the climate in which you live, letting natural rainfall be your lawn’s sole source of water is a recipe for lawn problems. If you want a lush, green lawn that is the envy of your neighborhood, you’ll need to water your lawn through other methods. Whether it is through an irrigation system, a tried-and-true sprinkler, or some other method, you’ll need to conduct some lawn maintenance if you want to keep your lawn looking vibrant and healthy.
In that case, you may then find yourself asking the same question many property owners are asking: How often and how much should my lawn be watered?
When you’re strategizing for your next landscaping project or hiring lawn services, you’ll want to consider these factors in your decision-making process.
Factors in How Your Lawn Should Be Watered?
Type of Grass
Every person has different tastes and dietary needs, and so do different types of grass. According to the lawn experts at Scott’s, keeping a newly-seeded lawn moist (but not drenched) is critical for maintaining your lawn’s health.
According to their lawn professionals, “You will likely need to mist the seeded area once or twice a day (possibly more if it’s hot and dry outside). Once the seeds start to germinate, continue to keep the top 2 inches of soil moist until the new grass reaches a mowing height of around 3 inches. After that, begin to cut back watering to twice per week and soak the soil deeper, about 6 to 8 inches, to encourage the grass roots to grow down deep into the soil.”
The specific breed of grass can also be an indicator of the quantity and frequency of water necessary to keep your lawn healthy.
Grasses like tall fescue have deep root systems that will hold up well during dry spells and require less frequent watering. On the other hand, breeds like Kentucky Bluegrass will lie dormant during dry seasons and perk back up when rain comes back.
If you didn’t personally seed the grass on your property, there is a good chance that you’re not even sure what type of grass your lawn is comprised of. In that case, call up the seasoned professionals at The Parke Company to get a proper evaluation of your property’s lawn and strategize how to best care for its health.
Climate
In most cases, it’s important to understand that an established lawn is fairly resilient. Lawns can turn grey or brown during a dry spell and go dormant, then revive when rain returns.
This may not be the case, however, if your grass is in constant turmoil. A typical, healthy lawn might be able to survive weeks without being watered, but if you live in a dry climate, in which your lawn is suffering months at a time without rain, your lawn is already at risk.
To determine if the climate of your region has gotten the best of your lawn, you can perform the “footprint test”. If you walk through your lawn and your footprints quickly disappear, you’re in luck! Your lawn has stayed hydrated. If your footprint remains, this means that your grass lacks the moisture to spring back into place.
Experts recommend that the “top 6 to 8 inches of soil (where most turfgrass roots grow) is wet. Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week—either from rain or watering—to soak the soil that deeply. That amount of water can either be applied during a single watering or divided into two waterings during the week.”
If your climate does not naturally offer this much rainfall, you’ll need irrigation to compensate for the lack of moisture.
Figuring out exactly how much moisture your lawn is receiving is no simple task, and while there are hacks like “can tricks” and complicated math, you might want to save the science projects for another time.
For now, make your life simple. The same experienced professionals who can help you with lawn mowing and fall cleanup can also help ensure that your lawn is being watered properly for the specific needs of your property. Our experts have the exact skills necessary to evaluate your lawn’s current condition and strategize how to best fulfill your landscaping dreams.
Give us a call (615-350-6033) or contact us online today to see how The Parke Company difference can work for you.