Lawn Watering – The 5 Rights

Establishing an effective lawn watering schedule can pay off in a big way for the homeowner looking to achieve the perfect lawn. Understanding the most appropriate times to irrigate is important to conserving both water and expense; not to mention providing for a healthier lawn. The five fundamentals to properly establishing a lawn watering schedule are time, place, quantity, method, and frequency.

The Right Time to Begin Lawn Irrigation

As spring arrives, the urge to start the lawn irrigation system is overwhelming. But if a strong and resilient lawn is the objective, this is not the best time to begin watering. Allow the lawn to naturally find its balance with the soil during the initial part of the growing season. Doing so will allow the lawn and root bed to adjust and be better prepared for the arrival of long hot days of summer. Depending on the type of lawn being grown, and the content of the soil, the time of year to begin a watering program could vary by several weeks. Two examples of grass that demonstrate such a variation are Centipede and St. Augustine grasses.

The Right Place to Irrigate the Lawn

As a rule, some parts of the yard may retain moisture longer than others. This is especially true of larger yards which may contain different soil types throughout the property. Additionally, shady parts of the lawn will safely go longer than full sun portions between watering. By reading the grass itself to determine when water is needed, and applying an adequate amount just to those parts of the lawn, a healthier lawn will result that is more resilient to the inevitable dry spells.

The Right Amount of Water to Apply to the Lawn

Determining the proper amount of water to be applied to the lawn is important to maintaining an effective and efficient lawn watering routine. Enough water should be applied to the lawn so it is allowed to soak into the soil just below the root bed. Periodically press an old kitchen knife or narrow metal rod into the ground to measure the depth required to reach hard ground. calculate the amount of time the irrigation system must operate to achieve the desired depth, and plan future watering cycles accordingly.

The Right Method to Irrigate the Lawn

Different lawn watering devises produce different levels of efficiency. Portable sprinkler heads that cast water over long distances, usually deliver less moisture by volume than a smaller pattern spraying close to the ground. Moreover, these systems lose water rapidly to wind and evaporation during warmer summer months.

Sprinkler heads that apply more concentrated spray patterns deliver water more directly to the root zone of the lawn in less time; with less wasted water.

The Right Frequency to Irrigate the Lawn

Less frequent watering cycles are better for the lawn as well as the water bill. A thorough deep soaking every two to three weeks will create a healthier and more resilient lawn than the alternative. Frequent shallow watering cycles may seem like the better option, but they do not promote root growth as the roots aren’t forced to seek out water. Deeper grass roots are produced as a result of the root burrowing deeper into the soil to tap into moisture.

An established and well structured lawn watering program based on the lawn’s need is both effective and efficient. A program such as this cannot be developed overnight, but should be continuously monitored and adjusted as needed during the growing season. No greater satisfaction can be attained by a lawn and garden enthusiast than to help produce a perfect landscape, while simultaneously conserving a valuable natural resource.