Keeping your lawn watered

How much water does a lawn need? In general, your lawn needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week to maintain green color and active growth. A lawn under water stress is more prone to disease, insects problems and weeds. Many factors such as the soil and weather all have a role in the lawn's water needs. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

• How much water?
  Most lawns need at least 1" of water per week to avoid water stress. You can measure the amount of water you're applying by placing an empty tuna / cat food can (any can that is 1" deep) in the area being watered. Once the can is filled, move the sprinkler to another area. You can also test by inserting a screwdriver into the soil to see if it penetrates easily. If so, rotate the sprinkler to another section of lawn.
  Saturate to a depth of 6-8" when you water. Grass suffers more from too shallow watering. Water longer in each area. Also, water apply extra water along curbs and pavements. These areas heat up more and the soil dries out faster. Try to avoid over spraying pavement areas if possible.

• When is it time to water?
  The first few warm days of summer does not automatically mean to water lawns. In fact, allowing lawns to start to go under mild drought stress actually increases rooting. Watch for foot printing, or footprints remaining on the lawn after walking across it (instead of leaf blades bouncing back up). Grasses also tend to turn darker in color as they go under drought stress. Sampling the root zone soil could be another option.

• Water as infrequently as possible.
  Thoroughly water when you do water so moisture soaks down to the roots. Exceptions to this general rule would be for newly seeded lawns where the surface needs to stay moist, newly sodded lawns that have not yet rooted into the soil, or when summer patch disease is a problem. Otherwise, avoid frequent watering that promote shallower root systems and weeds.

• Water early if possible.
  Given a choice, water early in the day when lawns are normally wet from dew. Avoid midday due to evaporation, and at night due to potential increased chances of some diseases. The exception to this guide is when you are in extremely hot weather and nighttime temperatures don't go below 70 degrees. Then it is better to water in the late afternoon or early evening, providing you don't have watering-time restrictions. Late in the day reduces the amount of evaporation that takes place during the very hot day, allowing more water to reach the root zone.

• Spread the water uniformly across the lawn.
  Sprinklers vary in distribution patterns, and require spray overlap for uniform coverage. Placing coffee cans or similar straight-sided containers on the lawn can help measure water application rates. Avoid flooding areas, or missing other spots. On heavy clay soils and slopes, watch for excessive runoff; it may be necessary to apply the water in several applications to allow for adequate penetration.

• Water conservation.
  To help conserve water, mow your lawn at a higher than normal height, limit traffic over the lawn, improve turf rooting, control thatch and soil compaction.