Generally, warm-season grasses require less water than cool-season grasses. However, where you live, the amount of precipitation, humidity and weather conditions all determine how often you should water. The type of soil can also play a role. For example, clay soil retains water longer, whereas sandy soil drains quickly.

Warm season grasses such as Mascarene, Bermuda or St. Augustine turf develop deep root systems, which makes them better able to resist drought. These grasses grow best when the temperature is above 26 ° C, and their growth slows down when temperatures start to drop.

Lawns that are a mixture of bluegrass or fine fescue are considered cool-season grasses and actively grow in the fall, recovering from summer dormancy. Cool fall temperatures keep evaporation rates low, but these lawns need water weekly until winter puts an end to the growing season. Unlike warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses are generally fertilized in the fall and watered immediately after fertilization.

The weather is always changing, but we’ve reached a time of year where the precipitation is few and far between, so watering your lawn becomes especially important. You also want to make sure you do so efficiently and not misuse water if there is a long stretch of no rain. To understand how frequently you should water your lawn, you need to consider these factors:

• Test how long it takes for your sprinklers to water about half an inch of your lawn. You can do this by setting out empty cans around your lawn and timing to see how long they take to fill up to the mark.
• Make sure that you’re testing the water level in various locations around your lawn to ensure you’ll be evenly watering your lawn.
• Water your lawn during the cooler parts of the day. The hottest times are usually coming up to noon and into the mid-to-late afternoon (11AM-3PM or so). Try watering very early in the morning to ensure your lawn will absorb the water and it won’t be quickly dried out and evaporated from the hot summer sun. This can also prepare your lawn for the hotter parts of the day, because the blades will be stronger and less strained.
• Watering your lawn early also ensures that your lawn has the entire day to dry at the pace it should, and will be dry by night. Repetitive wet lawns at night can lead to bacterial growth and disease, which should be avoided.
• Water your lawn about 2-3 times a week, depending on the weather. If it’s very hot and sunny you’ll increase the number of times you water, and if it’s cool and rainy, you should decrease.
• Make sure your sprinklers are working properly by checking them regularly.
• Brown grass can bounce back when it is watered regularly and receives the proper nutrition. If it doesn’t, you may be facing another issue and should consult a professional to help you solve the underlying problem.

If you notice that your lawn has a grayish tint or appears to have a dull green color, this is a sign that it needs water. During certain times of the year, water is unnecessary because there is enough precipitation to provide the lawn with all the water it needs. However, at other times drought and heat make regular watering essential.

Depending on where you live, you generally won't need to water your lawn until June. In general, you can start watering it from late spring through early fall.

The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning since it is cooler and the winds tend to be calmer, so the water can be absorbed by the roots before it evaporates. If for some reason you cannot water in the morning, it is best to water between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. rather than during the day or early afternoon. During the day more than 50% of the water evaporates before entering the ground. Make sure the blades of grass dry before dark to reduce the risk of fungal disease. Watering in the evening is not recommended!

Knowing how long to water your lawn is a crucial part of keeping it vibrant and healthy. You should know that daily watering of the lawn will result in a shallow root system since the roots will stay on the surface where they receive a lot of water. Shallow root systems dry out quickly and weaken the lawn. However, infrequent and deep watering encourages the roots to form deep and develop strong systems underground. This makes your lawn more resistant to pulling, weather changes and disease.

In this sense, the ideal is to favor a weekly watering for your lawn. In general, your lawn needs 2 to 3 cm of water per week, so a good average is to water about 2 times a week, or even 3 in the warmer months. You can then adjust the watering frequency according to the age of your lawn. For example, if your lawn is several years old, one watering per week is sufficient.

To determine how long you need to water your lawn to get the required number of inches, place a plastic container in your garden and set a timer. On average, it takes 20 minutes, three times a week, to get 3 cm of water all over the lawn. This formula works best with healthy, well-maintained soil that provides good drainage while providing the right amount of water retention at the roots. Damaged or poorly cultivated soil will lead to saturation of the latter.

As mentioned before, most lawns require 2-3 cm of water per week to soak the soil deeply. If you go over this amount slightly, don't worry. Just make sure you don't flood your lawn. Certain factors can influence the amount of water required, such as the type of soil. Clay soil retains much more water than sandy soil, and a lawn established on sandy soil is irrigated less but more often. Another factor is the climate. Naturally, more watering is required if you live in an area characterized by hot, dry air.